Archives for Kids

STEAM at Home: Plants from Scraps

Today’s Earth Day! There’s a lot of discussion online these days about at home learning. There’s also a lot of discussion online about taking the scraps of vegetables and re-growing them, as a project but also as a way to get more usage out of foods you have purchased. Putting those two discussions together equals one great STEAM at Home project. This is a fun project that promotes sustainability, teaches about gardening, and provides yummy results! It would be great for Earth Day, or any day! What you need: The “ends” of vegetables, such as romaine lettuce, green onions/scallions, etc.
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Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.

Earth Day Book Picks

2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day – first celebrated on April 22nd, 1970. To mark the important event that underscores the need to care for our planet, here are some noteworthy titles you may enjoy: PICTURE BOOK: We Planted a Tree By Diane Muldrow & Bob Staake eBook on OverDrive/Libby Diane Muldrow’s book focuses on the importance of trees in the lives of people all over the world. Her poetic text focuses on two families – how they each plant a tree, and how each tree helps the two families. Bob Staake’s child-friendly illustrations depict the beauty and
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Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

Poetry for Children

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 from your app store. Hoopla
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Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

Books to Get Moving

Being in isolation is no reason to just lounge around. Get up, move! Do some yoga! Take a walk through your neighborhood (with a mask on, of course)! Some exercise and fresh air will do wonders for your mood, health, and general well-being. Connect your physical activity to some reading activity. Here’s some picture books available through Overdrive/Libby or Hoopla to get you started with activities to take part in while moving. Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer (Overdrive/Libby) Daniel’s Good Day by Micha Archer (Overdrive/Libby) City Moon by Rachel Cole (Overdrive/Libby) Run Wild by David Covell (Overdrive/Libby) Wiggle
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Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

Poetry for Children

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 from your app store. Hoopla
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Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

Ramadan Virtual Book Display

“Ramadan is considered one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. In Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur’an, and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of learning self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate. Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation with a heightened focus on devotion, during which Muslims spend extra time re-reading the Qur’an and performing special prayers. Those unable to fast, such as pregnant or nursing women, the sick, or elderly people and children, are exempt from fasting.”–ING Here are some books for you and
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Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

DIY Masks and FAQ

Over the past few weeks, recommendations on the use of fabric masks have evolved rapidly. At first, there was skepticism that homemade alternatives were effective. However, since the recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that everyone should wear a fabric face cover in public, I’ve seen an explosion of mask-making information online. With Governor Cuomo's new decree requiring everyone to cover their mouths and nose in public, we will likely see even more. Sorting through the sheer number of patterns, and the contradicting information about the effectiveness of various filter materials, has been overwhelming and even
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Categories: COVID-19, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.

Everyday STEAM: Bouncy Egg

Creating a bouncy egg is fun and easy. All you need is white vinegar, an egg, and a jar or a cup. The first part of the experiment has you simply placing the egg gently in the jar and pouring vinegar into the cup. Next, a caregiver can explain that the process of creating a bouncy egg will take twenty four hours. For that reason, it’s good to do this in the morning so that the child can be present for the experiment and experience of a bouncy egg.   After twenty four hours you can carefully take the egg
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Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

NYT eBook Picks

A recent article from NYT Parenting highlights some great youth titles featuring kids stuck inside. All of these books are available with your library card on either Overdrive/Libby or Hoopla. Ages 3-7 The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss, available on Overdrive/Libby Corduroy by Don Freeman, available on Overdrive/Libby Ages 8-12 Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins, available on Overdrive/Libby The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner, available on Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, available on Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla The Doll People by Ann Martin, available on Overdrive/Libby The Long Winter
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Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.

Safe at Home

Some of the sites listed here may be offering some content free of charge or may be offering free access currently in response to the virus, but will move to a charge model again in the future. Please take care when using these sites to avoid unwanted charges. Previous Installments in this Series Stuck at Home Staff Picks 1 Stuck at Home Staff Picks 2 Stuck at Home Staff Picks 3 Stuck at Home Staff Picks: Teens Edition Great Ideas for Activities and Experiences Children’s Museum of Manhattan At Home Daily Activities Long List of Virtual Activities and Experiences for
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Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Family CV, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

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: Offline Technology Ideas Tuesday, April 28 4:30 – 5:15pm This week, a variety of “offline” activities will be discussed that do not require digital technology, but nonetheless teach core concepts within the related field. A Q&A will follow. Register in advance here.
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Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

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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Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

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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Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

Middle Grade Fiction for Autism 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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Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

Picture Books for Autism Acceptance Month

By Raquel Cavalcanti, Trove Librarian. April is Autism 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 the autism
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Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

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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Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

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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Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

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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Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

Stuck at Home Part 3

Some of the sites listed here may be offering some content free of charge or may be offering free access currently in response to the virus, but will move to a charge model again in the future. Please take care when using these sites to avoid unwanted charges. 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
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Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.