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Battle of the Books Announcement

Battle of the Books Announcement

By Ashley Bressingham, Kathlyn Carroll, Deb Gaffey, and Lauren Lichtenthal. – Youth Services staff. After all the reading that we did for the children’s and teen Battle of the Books book selection process, we’re pleased to announce the official titles for the next Battle of the Books competition. While we’re not sure whether the next competition will take place in October 2020 or 2021, we’re excited to get a head start on preparing for the tournament. Grades 4-6: New Kid by Jerry Craft The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan Bob by Wendy Mass and
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April 8, 2020 3:04 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Book Discussion, eNewsletter, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: battle of the books.

Poetry Prompt for Kids

Poetry Prompt for Kids

Calling all poets! White Plains Public Library is collecting magnetic poems in honor of National Poetry Month! Each week we'll post a new prompt for kids. This week's prompt entries are due by 10:00 a.m. next Wednesday, April 15th. Submission Guidelines: Please submit/upload one piece by 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15th. Be creative and express yourself freely, however, please stay positive and appropriate! Use between ten and twenty words to create your own unique Magnetic Poem! You can use your own words or use the ones we have provided below. Have fun! Have fun! Have fun! Here are some
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April 8, 2020 10:01 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: national poetry month, poetry, and poetry prompt.

Tech Tips for Parents

Tech Tips for Parents

“Tech Tips for Parents” is a weekly, digitally-streamed series where Digital Media Specialist Austin Olney will give relevant tips and knowledge for incorporating technology at home. To register, click the relevant link for the event you wish to attend. Tech Tips for Parents: Creative Apps Roundup Tuesday, April 7 4:30 – 5:15pm This week, a variety of creative software applications will be discussed. From video editing to app design, there are plenty of free options available. A Q&A will follow. Register in advance here. Tech Tips for Parents: eBooks and Other Digital Library Resources Tuesday, April 14 4:30 – 5:15pm
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April 7, 2020 2:05 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: tech tips for parents and technology.

Seashell Craft

Seashell Craft

By Caroline Reddy, Trove Librarian. Like many people living under strict guidelines during this global pandemic, I am finding new ways to be creative with what materials I have available. In addition, I have also become more conscious of how to conserve supplies and use leftovers: especially food. For a sandcastle craft, you will need a few items: a piece of blank paper a pencil with an eraser cereal (like the shredded ones) and seashells if you have them First, have your child trace a castle (you can find a picture online) or use the provided link. Next, gather the
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April 7, 2020 1:49 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: craft, seasells, and STEAM.

Poetry for Children

Poetry for Children

By Raquel Cavalcanti, Trove Librarian. National Poetry Month was established by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996. In order to celebrate National Poetry Month, I would like to highlight the diverse poetry collections available on Libby and Hoopla for kids with a three-part series showcasing six great titles. What are Libby and Hoopla? Libby and Hoopla are both easy-to-use apps that allow you to borrow eBooks and audiobooks with your library card for free. Both apps have thousands of adult, teen, and children’s titles that you can borrow using your iPad, tablet, or phone by downloading the apps
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April 7, 2020 11:58 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's literature, national poetry month, poetry, and staff recommendations.

DDST: And the Robot Went…

DDST: And the Robot Went…

By Josh Carlson, Manager of Youth Services. You’ll frequently read about my daughter in my blog posts and newsletter, so in the spirit of #WFH, I decided to start making videos with her. Throughout, we will engage with the text and each other, in a process known as Dialogic Reading, which is a super-fancy way of saying we have a conversation about the book we are reading as we read it. Dialogic Reading is an important and effective way of increasing your child’s pre-reading skills and early literacy. And, it’s fun. While you read, don’t just read to your child.
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April 7, 2020 11:23 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Daddy Daughter Storytime, DDST, Kid Lit Quarantine, and Operation Storytime.

Middle Grade Fiction for Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month

Middle Grade Fiction for Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month

By Raquel Cavalcanti, Trove Librarian. April is Autism Awareness & Acceptance month. In the United States, the Autism Society held the first National Autism Awareness month in April of 1970, and World Autism Awareness Day takes place on April 2nd every year, a date chosen by the United Nations General Assembly. To mark Autism Awareness and Acceptance month, enjoy the following middle-grade books that present unique and compelling kids on the autism spectrum: A Boy Called Bat (also: Bat and the Waiting Game & Bat and the End of Everything) by Elana K. Arnold All 3 titles available as eBooks
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April 3, 2020 4:24 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Autism, Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, middle grade fiction, and staff recommendations.

Picture Books for Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month

Picture Books for Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month

By Raquel Cavalcanti, Trove Librarian. April is Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month. The following notable picture book titles about children on the autism spectrum have all been deftly written by authors who are on the autism spectrum themselves or are parents or siblings of family members who are on the autism spectrum. For some more recommended titles, I found this May 2019 Book Riot article, “Understanding the Spectrum: 7 Great Picture Books About Autism,” by Rachel Rosenberg to be worthwhile. A Friend For Henry By Jen Bailey & Mika Song E-book on OverDrive Libby E-book on Hoopla “A boy on
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April 3, 2020 4:20 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Autism, Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month, and picture books.

Battle of the Books Inspired Reading List

Battle of the Books Inspired Reading List

By Ashley Bressingham and Deb Gaffey, Trove staff. Your Westchester librarians are avidly working to pick amazing books for the Battle of the Books trivia competition for the fourth to sixth grade teams! Deb and I have picked some of our favorites from the nominations and these are all available in either audio or eBook format through the Westchester Library System. Save Me a Seat by Gita Varadarajan and Sarah Weeks Hoopla: Audio Overdrive: eBook Ravi has just moved to America from India and is entering the fifth grade in the town where Joe has lived all of his life.
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April 3, 2020 11:53 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: battle of the books and book recommendations.

Tasty Picture Books

Tasty Picture Books

By Raquel Cavalcanti, Trove Librarian. This blog is the first in a two-part series about food-themed picture book eBooks available on OverDrive and on Libby. What is Libby? Libby is an easy-to-use app that allows you to borrow eBooks and digital audiobooks with your library card for free. Libby has thousands of adult, teen, and children’s titles that you can borrow using your iPad, tablet, or phone by downloading the app from your app store. Picture book eBooks are a great way for parents and caregivers to read-aloud beautifully written and illustrated stories with their pre-readers and beginning readers and
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April 2, 2020 4:33 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: A Fine Dessert, Aisha Saeed, Anoosha Syed, Bilal Cooks Daal, Emily Jenkins, libby, picture books, and Sophie Blackall.

Virtual Book Bunch with Author!

Virtual Book Bunch with Author!

Are you ecstatic about reading and discussing Carlos Hernandez’s absolutely wonderful book Sal and Gabi Break the Universe? Prepare to be even more psyched because the author will be joining us during our virtual Book Bunch! Perhaps he’ll even give us a sneak peek of the sequel Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe, which is expected to publish on May 5th!  Virtual Book Bunch will take place on Wednesday, April 15th from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Kids of any age who have read the book are welcome to join us but we recommend this title for those in 4th through
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April 2, 2020 2:52 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Book Discussion, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: book bunch and Carlos Hernandez.

Stuck at Home Part 3

Stuck at Home Part 3

Previous Installments in this Series Stuck at Home Staff Picks 1 Stuck at Home Staff Picks 2 Stuck at Home Staff Picks: Teens Edition Great Ideas for Activities and Experiences Need Virtual Elmo Hugs? Sesame Street has New COVID-19 Resources for Kids. Fun Things to Do at Home from Today’s Parent. Virtual Field Trips from Arizona State University. Together When Apart – Daily Inquiries to Consider How We Stay Together Even When Socially Distanced – for teachers, caregivers, and children in grades K-5. These inquiries could be good prompts to use in with the Library’s PandemiComic submissions. Picture Books, Read
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April 2, 2020 2:50 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: at home learning, covid-19, staff recommendations, and stuck at home.

Offline Tech Activities

Offline Tech Activities

Digital Media Specialist Austin Olney put together this list of fun and education offline tech activities. If you're looking to learn more online, check our virtual calendar for a schedule of tech programs that Austin will be leading throughout April. ANIMATION DESIGN How to Create a Phenakistoscope How to Make a High-Quality Flip Book AUGMENTED REALITY (AR) How to Make a Holographic Illusion Pyramid CODING Code a Lego Maze GAME DESIGN DIY Maze for Kids to Make How to Make a 3D Topographic Map GRAPHIC DESIGN How to Make Collage Art Using Magazine Clippings HACKING DIY Cipher Device LOGICAL THINKING
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April 2, 2020 2:49 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, Technology, and Teens.
Tags: covid-19 and offline tech.

Parenting in a Pandemic

Parenting in a Pandemic

Are you the parent of a child with special needs? Chances are you feel like you have been abandoned by everyone in this quarantine climate. Quite honestly, in some cases, that is true. Everyone, teachers, students, special education providers, work at home parents—we are all struggling to adjust. Children with special needs often have way more trouble adjusting and this is our struggle. We are going to see behaviors we thought our children had outgrown–they are going to be frustrated, we are going to be frustrated. There is some good news. If your child is under three, under the jurisdiction
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April 2, 2020 2:01 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: covid-19, parenting tips, and special needs parenting.

DDST: Mary Wears What She Wants

DDST: Mary Wears What She Wants

By Josh Carlson, Manager of Youth Services. You’ll frequently read about my daughter in my blog posts and newsletter, so in the spirit of #WFH, I decided to start making videos with her. Throughout, we will engage with the text and each other, in a process known as Dialogic Reading, which is a super-fancy way of saying we have a conversation about the book we are reading as we read it. Dialogic Reading is an important and effective way of increasing your child’s pre-reading skills and early literacy. And, it’s fun. While you read, don’t just read to your child.
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April 2, 2020 10:39 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Daddy Daughter Storytime, DDST, Kid Lit Quarantine, and Operation Storytime.

Stress, Anxiety, Your Child, and COVID-19

Stress, Anxiety, Your Child, and COVID-19

By Josh Carlson, Manager of Youth Services. Is it all getting to be a bit much? Trying to balance #WFH; home learning; shared space; concern about safety, health, wellbeing; social distancing – the list goes on. Do you feel like your children are driving you insane? If online memes and videos are anything to go by, families went crazy within one day of being at home together. Take a deep breath. This pandemic has impacted everyone’s lives immeasurably, but consider the disruption to your child’s life: routines, school, activities, friendships, and their mental and emotional health. Your child may not
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April 1, 2020 3:52 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: anxiety and covid-19.

Virtual Museum Visits

Virtual Museum Visits

While local museums may be closed (meaning our museum pass program is temporarily unavailable), many of them have virtual tours and other programs you can experience from the comfort of your own home. Take a virtual trip to one of our participating museums listed below: Boscobel House and Garden Highlights of the House, the Collection and the Gardens and Grounds. Children’s Museum of Manhattan Videos, sing-a-longs, games and so much more for you to do together with your family. Cooper Hewitt Museum View collection online. Videos on interviews with designers, public programs and stories from behind the scenes. Frick Collection
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April 1, 2020 12:00 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: museums.

PandemiComic

PandemiComic

Calling all writers and artists! White Plains Public Library is collecting comic strips that illustrate a day in the life of social distancing. We're accepting submissions from both adults and kids/teens through next Wednesday, April 8th. Check out the prompts below for your age group. We'll have a new prompt up next Wednesday! KIDS/TEENS: Here are some things to think about… How are you learning from home? Is it interactive/fun? Have you picked up any new hobbies like cooking, reading, playing a new game? How are your caretakers/siblings/relatives dealing with the pandemic? What are some pros and cons of spending
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April 1, 2020 10:00 am | by | 1 Comment
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: art, comic submissions, comics, kids, and teens.

Daddy-Daughter Storytime: Bark, George

Daddy-Daughter Storytime: Bark, George

By Josh Carlson, Manager of Youth Services. You’ll frequently read about my daughter in my blog posts and newsletter, so in the spirit of #WFH, I decided to start making videos with her. Throughout, we will engage with the text and each other, in a process known as Dialogic Reading, which is a super-fancy way of saying we have a conversation about the book we are reading as we read it. Dialogic Reading is an important and effective way of increasing your child’s pre-reading skills and early literacy. And, it’s fun. While you read, don’t just read to your child.
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March 31, 2020 10:16 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Evergreen, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Daddy Daughter Storytime, DDST, Kid Lit Quarantine, Operation Storytime, and storytime.

April 2020 Children’s Calendar

April 2020 Children’s Calendar

Yes, our beautiful building at 100 Martine is temporarily closed, but it turns out there are plenty of other ways we can keep the Library open and still serve White Plains. Join us on Zoom with a variety of virtual events presented by Library staff and local experts. Find a full listing of events below with details on registering. And don't forget, you can reach us Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at our new number 914-448-4859, by texting WPPL to 66746, or by emailing us anytime. Ideas for programs or activities? Send them my way. Take care,
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March 30, 2020 3:36 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Homepage Kids and Kids.
Tags: events calendar and trove events.