Check out our Poetry Place Activity Station when you visit the library! Drop-in crafts, activities, and a seek'n'find game! Available all month long in the Children's Room!
In-person at the Will Library for ages 0-5. Songs, Nursery Rhymes, finger plays, and stories. No registration.
Come hear stories old and new! Let your imagination carry you away to distant times and places!
Disclaimer(s)
Parents must stay
Parents/Guardians must stay - this is not a drop-off program.
Enjoy an afternoon of extra fun! During this hour, The Cove will be stocked with puzzles and toys that aren't typically available.
Disclaimer(s)
Children under 8
No person shall leave young children (ages eight and under) unattended anywhere on library premises. Parents or guardians are expected to look after their children while visiting the library with them.
Homework Help from a certified teacher for grades 1-6.
No registration required.
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays 3:30-5 PM.
Only when Yonkers Public Schools are in session.
Student tutors from Sarah Lawrence College will read with students ages 5-12.
Disclaimer(s)
Parents must stay
Parents/Guardians must stay - this is not a drop-off program.
News & Notes
The Heart! Library Lovers Month! Valentine’s Day!
Adults know that the shape of the real heart isn’t actually the shape all of us have come to know as a heart. It’s a shape that’s everywhere, from emojis to greeting cards to the much-loved Valentine’s Day.
Recommended Books For Kids
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How Are You, Verity?
A neurodivergent child interacts with their neighbors to discover the true meaning behind greetings and salutations.
When people say "How are you?" are they really asking or just saying hello? Verity, who is neurodivergent, plans an experiment to figure this out.
Verity is bubbling with excitement about an upcoming school field trip to the aquarium! When neighbors ask, "How are you?" Verity shares their excitement and fascinating facts about sea animals. Their older brother John kindly suggests that the question "How are you?" is actually a greeting and not an invitation to share so much. Verity plans an experiment to find out if their brother is right.
But when the trip to the aquarium is cancelled, Verity is heartbroken. When people ask "How are you?" what should they say then?
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Benji, the Bad Day, and Me
Sammy is having the absolute rottenest, worst day ever. His little brother, Benji, knows exactly what that's like.
Nothing seems to be going right for Sammy today. At school, he got in trouble for kicking a fence, then the cafeteria ran out of pizza for lunch. After he walks home in the pouring rain, he finds his autistic little brother Benji is having a bad day too. On days like this, Benji has a special play-box where he goes to feel cozy and safe. Sammy doesn't have a special place, and he's convinced no one cares how he feels or even notices him. But somebody is noticing, and may just have an idea on how to help Sammy feel better.
In this tender story about siblings, author Sally J. Pla shares her experience of raising sons with different personality traits and needs. Benji, the Bad Day, and Me embraces the philosophy that we are all part of a wide spectrum of neurodiversity. And on those really bad, rotten days, you can always count on family to be there for you.
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Good Different
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book
An extraordinary novel-in-verse for fans of Starfish and A Kind of Spark about a neurodivergent girl who comes to understand and celebrate her difference.
Selah knows her rules for being normal.
She always, always sticks to them. This means keeping her feelings locked tightly inside, despite the way they build up inside her as each school day goes on, so that she has to run to the bathroom and hide in the stall until she can calm down. So that she has to tear off her normal-person mask the second she gets home from school, and listen to her favorite pop song on repeat, trying to recharge. Selah feels like a dragon stuck in a world of humans, but she knows how to hide it.
Until the day she explodes and hits a fellow student.
Selah's friends pull away from her, her school threatens expulsion, and her comfortable, familiar world starts to crumble.
But as Selah starts to figure out more about who she is, she comes to understand that different doesn't mean damaged. Can she get her school to understand that, too, before it's too late?
This is a moving and unputdownable story about learning to celebrate the things that make us different. Good Different is the perfect next read for fans of Counting by 7s or Jasmine Warga.
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Leave Me Alone!
A 2017 Caldecott Honor Book that The New York Times calls “both classic and ultracontemporary,” Leave Me Alone! is an epic tale about one grandmother, a giant sack of yarn, and her ultimate quest to finish her knitting.
One day, a grandmother shouts, "LEAVE ME ALONE!" and leaves her tiny home and her very big family to journey to the moon and beyond to find peace and quiet to finish her knitting. Along the way, she encounters ravenous bears, obnoxious goats, and even hordes of aliens! But nothing stops grandma from accomplishing her goal—knitting sweaters for her many grandchildren to keep them warm and toasty for the coming winter.
Vera Brosgol's slyly clever and unexpectedly funny modern folktale is certain to warm even the coldest of hearts.
A 2017 Caldecott Honor Book
A New York Times Notable Children's Book
A National Public Radio Best Book of 2016
A Horn Book Best Book of 2016
A Huffington Post Best Picture Book of 2016 -
Mapmakers and the Lost Magic
A young girl finds herself faced with an impossible choice—run away from her beloved valley, or unleash a hidden magic and become a Mapmaker to save her home from its new overlords.
For centuries, the Mapmakers kept peace in the Valley, but they’ve long since disappeared. Now the Night Coats hold power with an iron grip—there are only rules, punishments, and consequences. Until one night, on the run from the Night Coats (again), after breaking another rule (again), Alidade stumbles upon a secret door leading to a magical hideaway that belongs to the Mapmakers. There, she finds a map of her home and accidentally brings to life Blue, a magical creature called a memri who is meant to protect the Valley. Blue needs Alidade’s help to find the Mapmakers and save the Valley from the Night Coats!
But the Mapmakers are long gone.
Alidade has a choice: leave the Valley like she’s always wanted...or become a Mapmaker and save the only home she’s ever known.
This is the first book in a thrilling series of adventures where Alidade discovers the world around her as she goes on a fantastical journey.
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El mitón
Cuanda a Nicki se le cae uno de sus guantes blancos en la nieve, sigue caminando sin darse cuenta de que lo ha perdido
Uno a uno, los animales del bosque lo encuentran y se resguardan dentro. Primero, un curioso topo, después, una liebre, un tejón, y le siguen otros animales, cada uno más grande que el anterior. Finalmente, a un gran oso pardo lo sigue un pequeño ratón de la pradera, y lo que ocurre a continuación culmina en un maravilloso y divertido final.
Mientras la historia de los animales y el mitón se desarrolla, los lectores pueden seguir a Nicki, en los bordes de cada página, completamente al margen de lo que sucede a su alrededor. -
Oso no para de roncar
On a cold winter night many animals gather to party in the cave of a sleeping bear, who then awakes and protests that he has missed the food and the fun.
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Luna de búho / Owl Moon
Un hermoso álbum ilustrado, ganador de la Medalla Caldecott 1988
Una noche de invierno, una niña y su padre van en busca de un búho. Los árboles se quedan quietos como estatuas y el mundo está en silencio como un sueño. Whoo-whoo-whoo, llama el padre al misterioso pájaro nocturno.
Pero no hay respuesta.
Padre e hija caminan sin palabras, porque cuando buscas búhos, no necesitas palabras. No necesitas nada más que esperanza. A veces no hay un búho, pero a veces sí.
La reconocida autora Jane Yolen recrea en Luna de búho una historia suave y poética, que describe con cariño el vínculo especial de una niña pequeña y su padre, así como la estrecha relación de la humanidad con la naturaleza. Maravillosamente ilustrado con las suaves y exquisitas acuarelas de John Schoenherr, este libro es un tesoro verbal y visual, perfecto para leer y compartir en familia antes de dormir.
ENGLISH DESCRIPTION
A beloved picture book, winner of the 1988 Caldecott Medal
Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird.
But there is no answer.
Wordlessly the two companions walk along, for when you go owling you don't need words. You don't need anything but hope. Sometimes there isn't an owl, but sometimes there is.
Distinguished author Jane Yolen has created a gentle, poetic story that lovingly depicts the special companionship of a young child and her father as well as humankind's close relationship to the natural world. Wonderfully complemented by John Schoenherr's soft, exquisite watercolor illustrations, this is a verbal and visual treasure, perfect for reading around and sharing at bedtime. -
Diario de Greg 13
Cuando el instituto de Greg Heffley cierra a causa de una gran nevada, el barrio se transforma en un gélido campo de batalla: grupos rivales se disputan el territorio, construyen fortificaciones y protagonizan grandes peleas de bolas de nieve. En su lucha por la supervivencia, Greg y Rowley tendrán que abrirse camino entre bandas enfrentadas mediante alianzas y traiciones. Cuando la nieve se derrita, ¿surgirán los dos amigos como héroes? ¿O conseguirán al menos salir vivos de esta batalla campal?
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¿Qué sucede en invierno? / What Happens in Winter?
Winter is a special season because the weather can be very different from the others. Whether it’s snow or just the cold that comes, it’s a very interesting season all over the world. Through the use of accessible text, presented in both English and standard Latin-American Spanish, and a great picture glossary, early readers will explore the super season of winter and learn the science behind Mother Nature’s coldest season. • Strong picture-text correlation aids in comprehension • Reading level supports beginning readers • Picture glossary helps develop vocabulary skills
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What You Need to Be Warm
A New York Times bestseller!
During the coldest season, when the world feels scary--what do you remember about being warm?
Baked potatoes.
Trust.
A kettle on the stove.
Blankets.
A smile.
And, most of all, the reassurance that you belong.
In his powerful and moving poem, featuring illustrations from thirteen extraordinary artists, bestselling author and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Neil Gaiman draws together many different memories to answer the question, what do you need to be warm?
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Bear's Big Dreaming
From beloved author Michael Rosen (We’re Going on a Bear Hunt) and award-winning illustrator Daniel Egnéus comes a modern classic picture book about love, hope and the dreams that sustain us.
* “A soothing tale that will be welcomed in autumn or at bedtime in any season of the year.” —Booklist, starred review
The Cold is coming, and it’s time for Big Bear and Little Bear to get ready for the Big Sleep: for bears sleep all winter long, and wake up in the spring. But Little Bear is worried. What if they run out of dreams during the Big Sleep? Little Bear sets out bravely to find enough dreams to see them through the long winter. On his journey, he discovers dreams of happiness, dreams of homecoming, and dreams of hope.
But with the Cold approaching fast, will Little Bear make it back home in time for the Big Dreaming?
A resonant and uplifting tale from a master storyteller, The Big Dreaming is a classic in the making, filled with luminous illustrations by award-winning artist Daniel Egnéus.
Read Bear’s Big Dreaming if you are looking for:
A cozy bedtime book to inspire sweet dreams
A gift to treasure with stunning gold foil
A seasonal story that introduces bear hibernation -
The Magical Snowflake
Experience the enchanting and timeless tale of expectation, anticipation, and wonder crafted by renowned children's book author Bernette Ford. The Magical Snowflake captures the heartwarming essence of a young girl amid the frosty snow, making it more than just a children's Christmas book; it's an inclusive holiday read-aloud book that celebrates the winter season, community, family, and friendship.
Set in the midst of winter's chill, with an absence of snow, Ori and her friends yearn to play outdoors. Ori makes a heartfelt wish, and soon, a special snowflake brings joy to the entire town. Guided by the confidence of a young girl and the assured storytelling voice of author Bernette Ford, The Magical Snowflake leads readers through moments of pure delight, filled with song, dance, and seasonal cheer.
For those seeking winter books or the perfect toddler books this holiday season, The Magical Snowflake promises to be the surprise of the year. Destined to become a classic among Christmas books for kids, this story's enchanting protagonist, Ori, will inspire both children and adults to partake in the merriment and sing along to "We wish you a merry winter." The vibrant illustrations by Erin K. Robinson bring these unforgettable scenes to life, ensuring that this story will be etched in your heart forever.
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Jo Jo Makoons
Oh, snow day, snow day, what a very fun no-school day! Jo Jo Makoons is back in the third book in this favorite chapter book series, and she's planning the very best version of the winter Olympics that her Ojibwe community has ever seen...
Jo Jo Makoons has noticed that the family members she loves most--Mama, Kokum, and even her cat, Mimi--all have their own ways of being healthy. So when Teacher says that their class will be learning about healthy habits, Jo Jo is ready to be neighborly by helping everyone around her be healthy too.
After a snowstorm shuts down her Ojibwe reservation, Jo Jo uses her big imagination and big personality to help both Elders and classmates alike. Because after all, being healthy means being together!
With her signature heart and hilarity, in this third book in her chapter book series, Jo Jo Makoons shows care for her community as only this vibrant young girl can.
The first book in this acclaimed chapter book series was an American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor Book; a best book of the year from Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, American Indians in Children's Literature, and the Chicago Public Library; a Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book; and a Cooperative Children's Book Center CCBC Choices selection.
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How to Rock a Snow Day
A snow day! That means no school...But what will we do today? From the New York Times bestselling creators of How to Babysit a Grandpa comes a seasonal Step 2 early reader packed with snow much fun!
School is canceled, and there is so much to do: snow angels, lunch, sledding... Will the other kids be able to finish everything on our snow day to-do list?! Join them as they enjoy a snow-filled day of winter activities!
Perfect for children who are ready to read on their own. Step 2 readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. They are perfect for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.
Digital Resources
Biblioteca Tumblebooks

Biblioteca Tumblebooks tiene libros animados, con ilustraciones que hablan, para enseñar a losniños los placeres de la lectura en un formato que les encantará.
Britannica School

Brtiannica School offers encyclopedias and related materials for all grades (Pre-K-12) and all reading abilities.
Comics Plus

Comics Plus offers online digital graphic novels and comics available for free with your library card.
Family Search

Freading

eBooks available in ePub and/or PDF format. Currently, it can be used with PCs, iDevices, Androids, Nooks, Sony Readers, Kobo readers, and Kindle Fire. Freading specializes in romance and children’s books.