Archives for Observances and Celebrations

March is…

Each month a variety of observances and celebrations take place, from well-known holidays to much lesser known fun (and downright funny or strange!) observances. March is… Women’s History Month Women Who Led the Way: Great Explorers and Adventurers by Mick Manning & Brita Granström (Grades 3-6) Library Catalog 21 amazing women explorers and adventurers from all over the world From Aud the Deep-Minded, an early voyager to Iceland, and Sacagawea who guided the Lewis and Clark expedition across the USA, to Mae Jemison, the first black woman in space and Arunima Sinha, the first woman amputee to climb Mount Everest,
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Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

Celebrate Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year – also known as Chinese New Year – is held in late winter or early spring, based on the lunar calendar. This year it falls on February 10th, and this year will be the Year of the Dragon! Grab & Go: Lunar New Year Starting at 10am on Friday February 2nd, there will be Grab & Go kits available for kids ages 2-6 and in grades 1-2 to pick up and take home. Since 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, the kit will be dragon-themed – don’t miss out! Family Storytime: Lunar New Year At 11am
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Categories: Library News.

February Festivities

Each month a variety of observances and celebrations take place, from well-known holidays to much lesser known fun (and downright funny or strange!) observances. February is… Black History Month We Are Here by Tami Charles & Bryan Collier (Preschool to 3rd Grade) Library Catalog In another groundbreaking picture book from the powerhouse creative team behind the New York Times bestselling All Because You Matter, is a stirring, poetic, and empowering follow-up that celebrates the rich history of Black and brown men and women throughout history with soaring language and stunning illustrations. Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King by
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Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

January Festivities

During the year, each month celebrates a variety of observances and celebrations that can include celebrations of food, cats, historical events, poets, etc. Observations in January include well known International days to lesser, funny (and downright strange) events celebrating things such as whipped cream, introverts and chickens.  I have highlighted a few holidays that are fun, a few that are educational and some that are cultural and historical: January 3rd is Tolkien Day The Complete Guide to Middle Earth by Rober Foster. Explore Middle Earth: a fantastical land full of Elves, Orcs, Dwarves and wizards. Who was J. R. R.
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Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

Celebrate Dragon Appreciation Day

Celebrate Dragon Appreciation Day on January 16th! On January 16th, readers of all ages can celebrate one of the most magnificent creatures that has been a part of our imagination and mythology. Many books, films and shows center around dragons: from shimmering dragon eggs, to taming them, and becoming friends with them – dragons are a delight! Dragons also are known to protect treasure as illustrated in J.R.R Tolkien’s beloved classic The Hobbit.  Dragons can also represent the embodiment of enlightenment  in Asian mythology/spirituality. We can  learn more about dragons as we celebrate Dragon Appreciation Day and for some other
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Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

Holiday Books in Spanish

HOLIDAY BOOKS IN SPANISH LIBROS EN ESPAÑOL PARA LOS DÍAS FESTIVOS The winter holiday season is approaching! Celebrate the season with our new Spanish and Spanish/English holiday titles covering Christmas/Navidad and Three King’s Day/Día de Reyes! Las fiestas de invierno ya casi están aquí. Celebre esta temporada con nuestros libros nuevos en español y bilingües (inglés y español) sobre la Navidad/Christmas y el Día de Reyes/Three Kings Day. Una noche más para la Navidad (One Good Night ‘Til Christmas), by Frank Berrios. Library Catalog ¡El gran día está casi aquí! Solo queda “una noche más” para la Navidad. Mientras los
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Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

Celebrate 10 Years of the EDGE – After Hours at the Library

On December 1, we will be celebrating 10 years of the Edge for December's After Hours event from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.!  This special evening will be open to all Edge patrons in grades 7-12, as well as former Edge teens!  Come take part in fun activities, celebrate the history of the Edge, and have fun! Did you grow up using the Edge? We want to see you! Events and Activities Open Mic with the White Plains High School Songwriters Club Ice Cream Sundaes and other snacks Earring Making Video games – new games and retro games Board Games ScavEDGEer
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Categories: Library News and Teens.

Day of the Dead Altars 2023

Annually, the Trove holds a series of workshops where participants make Day of the Dead ofrendas. The altar-making series is a beloved family program that has been offered for many years by the Children’s staff. This year, we are thrilled to bring this tradition back in-person here in the Trove. Over the course of three workshops held this October, a total of six families created beautiful ofrendas for their dearly departed loved ones. These intricate creations will be on display for all to come and see during the month of November in the Trove. The Ochoa Family Honoring: Deceased Actors
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Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

Day of the Dead Altars Gallery

Annually, the Trove holds a series of workshops where participants make Day of the Dead ofrendas.  The altar-making series is a beloved family program that has been offered for many years by the Children’s staff. This year, we are thrilled to bring this tradition back in-person here in the Trove. Over the course of three workshops held this October, a total of six families created beautiful ofrendas for their dearly departed loved ones. These intricate creations will be on display for all to come and see during the month of November in the Trove. Below find a digital gallery of
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Categories: Featured and Library News.

Celebrate Spooktober!

We 🧡 Halloween in Youth Services at the Library and we have some great events coming up to celebrate the spookiest of months, October.  Also, be sure to check out some of our older Halloween blog posts for great ideas for Halloween activities and reads! K-2 STEAM: Zombie Edition Grades K-2 Thursday, 4:30 p.m. – October 19 Ticket required.  Please pick up tickets in the Trove starting 30 minutes before the program. Halloween Grab & Go Kit Grades K-3 Available while supplies last starting Tuesday, October 24. Family Storytime: Ghosts & Ghouls Ages 3+, Families Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m. – October
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Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, and Library News.

Pick a Treat

The Trove put together a fun Halloween display: mystery books for kids to choose (there's a summary and intended age range on the package) and unwrap at home, for multiple ages and all decorated with cats, bats, spiders and/or mice. So stop by The Trove this month and pick out a treat!
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Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

Celebrate Day of the Dead

Celebrate Day of the Dead/Celebra el Día de los Muertos Day of the Dead Workshop Series / Taller del Día de los Muertos For: Children in Grades 2-5 & Their Families / Para niños en grados 2-5 con sus familias Tuesdays, October 10th, 17th, & 24th at 4:30 pm / los martes 10, 17 y 24 de octubre a las 4:30 pm Location / Salón: Galaxy Hall Children in grades 2-5 with their families will create an altar honoring a very special person already departed. Sessions 1 & 2 will be devoted to creating your altars. At session 3, we
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Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

Celebrate Grandparents Day Extravaganza!

Celebrate Grandparents Day Extravaganza! Sunday, September 10th at 2 p.m. For: Families & Children Location: Galaxy Hall Come join us at the Library to celebrate Grandparents Day with a storytime, a craft activity and a photo booth! We'll be joined by Grandpas United who will have a table with information and swag as well! History of Grandparents Day Jacob Reingold of the Hebrew Home at Riverdale who attended the 1961 White House Conference on Aging was inspired to recognize the role of millions of older Americans as grandparents. Due to his efforts that year, on September 16, 1961; the first
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Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

Celebrate Disability Pride Month Storytime!

Celebrate Disability Pride Month Storytime! Families, Children July 8th, 2:00 p.m. Location: Galaxy Hall Please join us in the Trove for our Celebrate Disability Pride Month storytime for stories, a craft and a treat on Saturday, June 8th at 2 pm! Disability Pride Month is celebrated every July to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community. Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July, because the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed on July 26, 1990. The Act bars discrimination against people with disabilities – in employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications, and access to state and
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Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

Afrobeats Dance Workshop

Afrobeats Dance Workshop Wednesday, June 28th, at 6:30–8:00 p.m. For: Adults and teens Location: Auditorium Afrobeats Dance is a combination of modern day African movement paired with Afrobeats music. The movement is full body & high energy. Focusing on hip releasing, footwork, arm coordination and rhythm. It's a fun form of dance because it allows the body to move naturally and with the percussion of the music. Past Juneteenth Events: Grab & Go Kits: Juneteenth! Monday, June 12th at 10:00 a.m. For: Grades K-3 Location: Lobby Pick up a new Grab & Go Kit at the Library, while supplies last,
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Categories: Authors & Books and Library News.

Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride

Join us this June in celebrating Pride Month! We’ve got a variety of events planned this month and some exciting book recommendations below for all ages. In addition to our events, we’ll be attending Westchester Pride on June 4th, so make sure to stop by our table for Grab & Go Kits and more at the corner of Main Street and Court Street! Events: Grab & Go Kits: Pride Month! Thursday, June 1st at 10:00 a.m. For grades K-3 Location: Lobby Pick up a new Grab & Go Kit at the Library, while supplies last, starting today. Kits will be
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Categories: Library News.

Books By Dads For, and About, Dads

Below please find lists curated by the Youth Services Librarians of White Plains Public Library of Nonfiction, Memoirs & Parenting Books; Picture Books, Juvenile Fiction; and Young Adult Fiction written by fathers that are for fathers and about fatherhood. Nonfiction, Memoirs, & Parenting Books Dad’s Book of Awesome Projects by Mike Adamich Library Catalog Dad’s Book of Awesome Science Projects by Mike Adamich Library Catalog Fatherhood by Papa B: a Game-changing Guide for Parents, Father Figures and Fathers-to-be by Bode Aboderin Library Catalog – Libby Made With Dad: From Wizards’ Wands to Japanese Dolls, Craft Projects to Build, Make and
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Categories: Authors & Books, Kids, and Library News.

And Then They Came For Us Screening

AAPI Month: And Then They Came For Us Documentary Screening & Discussion Thursday, May 18th, from 7:00–8:30 p.m. Location: Auditorium Register here. For Asian American Pacific Islander Month, we will show the documentary And Then They Came For Us, about the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. And as guest speaker we will have Takeshi “Tak” Furumoto (pictured left), who lived in a Japanese internment camp in California and after the war moved to Hiroshima, where he saw the effects of the atom bomb.
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Categories: Library News.

May is Family Wellness Month!

The month of May is a great time to educate, encourage, and enact a healthy lifestyle for your family! Eating healthy, exercising, and unwinding at the end of the day are important ways for keeping everyone happy and healthy. There are lots of simple activities you can do to keep your mind & body fit…and think about ways to improve your daily habits, such as going to bed at a reasonable time!   Books for the whole family to check out: Taking Care of Me by Mari C. Schuh Library catalog, ebook Yoga for little kids: simple poses to encourage
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Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month

On April 20th, 2006, President Bush issued the first proclamation designating May 2006 as Jewish American Heritage Month. Since then, the month of May is dedicated to celebrating the many contributions of Jewish Americans in the last 369 years and encourages everyone to learn more about the history, culture, accomplishments, and diversity of the American Jewish community. A great wealth of resources for families to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month are the programs and exhibits of the Jewish Museum on 5th Avenue at 92nd Street in NYC. Check out their family events here. To celebrate the month, I have gathered
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Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.