Author: Neena McBaer

Have you tried Wonderbook?

Wonderbooks are here! Wonderbooks are children’s books with ready-to-play audiobooks already inside. Take one off the shelf and press play. It’s never been more fun to read along! Our new Wonderbook collection features several read-alongs with text and audio delivered in both English and Spanish. It’s a great way for kids to learn a new language and for native Spanish speakers to enjoy the magic of Wonderbook read-alongs. View the library’s LISTEN ALONG (orange) Wonderbook collection in the picture book section or search wonderbook in our catalog to find out more.

Meet Princess Elsa!

Announcing our Princess/Superhero Series: Meet Elsa Featuring favorite characters like Elsa, Wonder Woman, and Princess Leia, join us live or request a recording of storytimes to watch anytime. Watch live on Facebook! : Second Thursday of the month, March-October, 4:30 – 5:00 PM EST Click here to join our Facebook Live Group and watch. Watch anytime: A recording of the program will be available on Facebook shortly after the event premieres. Not on Facebook? Click here to request a recording that will be delivered straight to your inbox! Want to give your child an experience they’ll never forget? Become friends with a real princess or hero as they read, sing, tell engaging stories, and play games together — Plus, she will respond to your child’s live comments by name! Join us for the first Virtual Live Storytime in our 8-month series, featuring Princess Elsa! Watch live on Thursday, March 11th, at 4:30pm to participate in the interactive experience and be automatically entered to win a video call from Princess Elsa herself! Schedule of special guests: March 11 – Princess Elsa...

Black History in the Children’s Collection

Looking for books to read with your children this Black History Month? We’re highlighting books by Black creators this February. This selection list includes biographies of Black trailblazers and game changers, important moments from our history, and collections of tales and folklore passed down through generations. Interested? You can request any of these books through the links below. ***Starred choices are available as digital downloads in hoopla or Libby! Thank you to Angie Webb for curating this list. Biographies Little leaders: bold women in Black history. By Vashti Harrison (Request it here) *** (Digital version) Before she was Harriet: the story of Harriet Tubman by Lesa Cline-Ransome (Request it here) Sojourner Truth: ain’t I a woman? by Pat McKissack (Request it here) Promises to keep: how Jackie Robinson changed America by Sharon Robinson (Request it here) Althea Gibson: the story of tennis’ fleet-of-foot girl by Megan Reid (Request it here) Rosa by Nikki Giovanni (Request it here) *** (Digital Version) The story of Martin Luther King Jr. by Johnny Ray Moore (Request it here) Bad news for outlaws: the remarkable life of...

Winter Children’s Programs Available

Registration is now open for our Winter 2021 children’s programs. The program session will run nine weeks, January 26th – March 26th. This session, we’ll be offering a variety of At-home kit activities and live digital programs on Zoom. Upcoming special events include a taste-safe sensory exploration kit for ages six months to five years and the return of our LEGO and Roblox Clubs. Check out our full lineup of programs and register here.  For more information on our policies, click here.

RESCHEDULED Santa and Mrs. Claus

Due to expected heavy rain and cold temperatures on the morning of December 5th, the library has rescheduled the Socially Distanced Santa and Mrs. Claus event for Saturday, December 12th. Appointment times still stand for families who made them. With questions, contact Children’s Program Coordinator, Neena McBaer at children@pawlinglibrary.org

Socially Distant Santa and Mrs. Claus

This program has been rescheduled for December 12, 2020, due to inclement weather.   December 5th, 2020, by reservation only Get ready to bundle up and share your wish lists! Our annual visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus is ON! But… it is going to look a little different this year. To keep all involved as safe as possible, families will visit outside, one at time, while Santa and Mrs. Claus stay inside and chat through a window. Registration for 10 minute windows is required. Masks and social distancing required and enforced. Pawling and Holmes residents,Click here to find out more or register. Interested in other December and holiday programs? Check out our other offerings here. At this time, space is limited to Pawling and Holmes residents and their families. If spaces remain, we will invite the larger community to participate. Not a local resident? Sign up for our non-resident waiting list  

Seeking Parent Feedback

The children’s department is hoping to refocus our energy on providing the types of programming and materials that your family will not just use, but will love! To help us do that, we’re seeking feedback from parents and caregivers with children ages 0-10 at home. This quick, 5-10 minute survey is totally anonymous, so please let us know what you hope to see from us in the future, whether offline or on. Access the survey here: https://forms.gle/eG3k2cFKZTud5Yi2A Questions and concerns can always be directed to Children’s Program Coordinator, Neena McBaer, at children@pawlinglibrary.org

Dogman Virtual Escape the Room

Calling all Dogman and puzzle fans! We’ve got a digital program for you. Oh no! Sneaky Petey and Grampa have trapped Dogman and Catkid! Can you help our heroes escape before too much trouble ensues? This digital escape room supports critical thinking and can be done independently or as a family at any time. Developing readers may need reading support, as some clues must be read. Click here to play! https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vTQ1LXbvl7847ZVROkb5NsTdbEifeliFG-ZuE5n_VcL4mVP1i23ZgSO0Lu3j_Whd-iZ7rL4mXuOJobm/pub?start=true&loop=false&delayms=60000&slide=id.g9fd62beeef_1_15    

Congratulations to our Contest Winners

We have our winners! Congratulations to Julian (Grade 5) and Joslyn (Grade 9) for creating the winning entries in our President of the Library Creative Writing Contest Thank you to all of our participants and everyone who voted. Thank you also to the sponsors who made our prizes possible.  Here are the full results of the races:     Children’s Division: First Prize and The Award for Winning by the Biggest Margin: Julian, Grade 5 Second Prize and The Award for Best Candidate Platform in the Children’s Division: Fox, Grade 3           Teen Division: First Prize and The Award for Best Slogan in the Teen Division: Joslyn, Grade 9 Second Prize: Kennedy, Grade 7 Runner Ups: Marie, Grade 11, with The Award for Best Platform in the Teen Division Anthony, Grade 6, with The Award for Funniest Entry in the Teen Division

New Story Time Bites Available

Story Time Bites are short videos featuring one song, rhyme, or story, designed to help develop early literacy skills from home. These videos teach caregivers and children new rhymes to do offline at home, in the car, or at the playground. Plus kids love these digital visits from Ms. Neena! We’re sure you’ll love our two newest videos, “Put a Puppet on Your Head” and “Leaves on the Trees.”