Celebrate Black History month by discovering the fascinating and courageous stories of some famous (and some not-so-famous) African American heroes and trailblazers. These gorgeous picture book biographies are sure to entertain, inform, and inspire during the month of February and beyond! |
A picture book biography celebrating the life and contributions of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman in Congress, who sought the Democratic nomination to be the president of the United States.
Before Rosa Parks, before Martin Luther King Jr., before the civil rights movement there was Thurgood, fighting for African Americans - and winning. Here is the powerful story of the trailblazer who proved that separate is not equal!
A picture-book biography on science superstar Neil deGrasse Tyson, the groundbreaking American astrophysicist whose work has inspired a generation of young scientists and astronomers to reach for the stars! Also available in Hoopla.
Serena Williams is one of the biggest names in sports, but she was the youngest growing up in a family of five girls. This empowering biography showcases the rise of the youngest Williams sister and describes how Serena had to figure out how to be her own person, both on and off the court.
In text as lyrical as the game, this inspiring biography is a peek into the early days of the NBA, an introduction to one of basketball’s all-time greatest players and a celebration of standing up for what is right.
Mae Jemison, who dreamed of dancing in space when she was a little girl, was encouraged by her parents who always told Mae that “if you can dream it, believe in it, and work hard for it, anything is possible” and so it was. Mae Jemison became the first African American woman astronaut to fly into space. Also available in Overdrive.
There was even more to Aretha Franklin than being a singer, songwriter, and pianist: she was an activist, too. Her song "Respect" was an anthem for people fighting for civil rights and women's rights. With words that sing and art that shines, this vibrant portrait of Aretha Franklin pays her the R-E-S-P-E-C-T this Queen of Soul deserves.
Vivid text and bold artwork introduce a little boy who drew from morning to night, and saw art everywhere, in poetry books, in words and in the pulsing energy of New York City. Today the art of Jean-Michel Basquiat can be viewed in the Whitney Museum of American Art and other museums all over the world showing that art does not have to be neat or clean or inside the lines to be beautiful. Also available in Overdrive.
Audrey Faye Hendricks was age 9 and confident, bold and brave as can be. When Audrey heard grown-ups talk about wiping out segregation laws, she spoke up. This is the remarkable and inspiring true story of one child’s role in the civil rights movement. Also available in Overdrive.
A biography of John Lewis, Georgia Congressman and one of the 'Big Six' civil rights leaders of the 1960s, focusing on his youth and culminating in the voter registration drives that sparked 'Bloody Sunday,' as hundreds of people walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. Includes a note by Congressman Lewis and a timeline. Also available in Overdrive.
From Katherine’s early beginnings as a gifted student to her heroic accomplishments as a NASA mathematician, this is the story of a brilliant and groundbreaking American woman who was responsible for bringing Apollo 13 safely home, saved lives and made enormous contributions to history. Also available in Overdrive.
Presents the life and accomplishments of the African American scientist, whose keen observations of sea creatures revealed new insights about egg cells and the origins of life. Also available in Overdrive and Hoopla.
In luminous paintings and arresting poems, the authors track the journey of Arturo Schomburg and his quest to collect the books, letters, music and art of Africa and the African diaspora in order to bring to light the achievements of people of African descent; a collection that, a century later, is known around the world as the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Also available in Overdrive and Hoopla.
From her early childhood lessons to the height of her success as the first African American prima ballerina in the Metropolitan Opera House, this is the story of a graceful, talented girl who continued to pursue her dreams, never compromising her values along the way. Also available in Overdrive.
Told in 2 acts, like many of his plays, this is the story of a young boy who dropped out of high school after facing intense prejudice but spent his days reading in the public library and listening to the stories and conversations in his Pittsburgh neighborhood. Eventually he turned those stories and conversations into Pulitzer Prize-winning plays that have been made into TV movies and feature films, becoming one of America’s most influential playwrights. Also available in Hoopla.
Clementine Hunter was the first self-taught African-American woman artist to capture the attention of the national media at a time when segregation laws kept her from viewing her own gallery shows. Her work preserves a part of American history we rarely see and the story of how she came to paint proves that art can help keep the spirit alive.
Carter Woodson, the only child of enslaved parents to earn a PhD in history, was only the second African American student at Harvard University when one of his professors said that black people had no history, leading Carter to dedicate his life to finding, preserving and teaching the whole truth about American history. In 1926, Carter Woodson, now recognized as the Father of Black History, established Negro History Week, now known as Black History Month. Also available in Hoopla.
Presents the life of Clara Luper, an African-American teacher and local civil rights leader in Oklahoma City who taught her students about equality and, in 1958, led them in one of the first lunch counter sit-ins in the United States, eventually resulting in the desegregation of all the stores and restaurants in Oklahoma City.
As a boy, George Fletcher’s favorite game was riding a make-believe bronco and as a man, he loved nothing better than a rough-and-tumble rodeo. In 1911 George had the chance to prove his mettle in the biggest rodeo in the Northwest, the Pendleton Round-Up. The outcome of the event was a surprise to one and all who were there - in more ways than one! Also available in Overdrive and Hoopla (eBook)/Hoopla (Audiobook).
A tribute to Harlem Renaissance performer Florence Mills that covers her youth as a child of former slaves, her performances that inspired songs and entire plays, the racism that she counteracted with generosity and her advocacy of civil rights and all-black theater and musicals. Also available in Overdrive.
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New Favorites of the Children's Room! |
Children's Librarian Susan is here to share with you one of her New Favorite picture books: Oona by Kelly DiPucchio
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The winds of March aren't far away...You and your kids can try and catch a few gusts and breezes with this week's Pick-Me-Up...a windmill!
There's a new, easy-to-make craft each Monday and available for the rest of the week while supplies last. Ready for pick-up at both the Main Library and Huguenot Children's Library's curbside service. Call 914.813.3716 for more details.
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Virtual Concert with Robert the Guitar Guy! |
Thursday, February 25 at 11 am |
It's a virtual Zoom concert on Thursday, February 25th at 11 am with Robert the Guitar Guy! Join us as Robert Markowitz performs an entertaining and interactive show for families via Zoom. Kids are sure to have a blast as Robert encourages them to move around as well as sing and shout along to the music. Fun for the whole family! Email nrplkids@wlsmail.orgfor an invitation link. |
For the Love of Reading Literacy Workshop |
Saturday, February 27 at 11:00 - 11:30 am |
Caregivers will learn strategies on how to engage their child as they read together. Filled with creative activities and useful tips to promote early literacy and strengthen reading skills. For parents with children in Pre-K to 2nd grade.
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Book Bundles from the Children's Room! |
Do you or your child need materials for a school assignment or for pleasure reading? New Rochelle Public Library’s children’s collection -- both at the Main Library and Huguenot Children’s Library -- is still available through our curbside pickup service even when the library doors are shut! Request a Book Bundle to meet all your reading needs!
Fill out the form here (also in Spanish), and a Children’s Librarian will select materials based on the information you give us! Let us know the topics, titles, level of reader, and whatever else you think is important, so we can find the items and create a Book Bundle that’s perfect for you. Book Bundles can contain up to 10 items. But there’s no limit as to how many Book Bundle request forms you can submit.
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Curbside Pick-up at NRPL and HCL! |
NRPL and HCL are currently open for curbside service only. For more information, visit our website.
The hours for Curbside Pick-up at the Main Library are Monday - Saturday, 10 am - 12 pm and 2 pm - 5 pm. There will be additional Curbside Service hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 pm - 8 pm.
The hours for Curbside Pick-up at HCL are Mondays and Fridays: 10 am - 2 pm, Wednesdays: 1 pm - 5 pm and Thursdays: 12 pm - 2 pm.
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