Editor’s note: The listings were provided by the Town of Pelham Public Library.

Get Ready for the Battle of the Books (BOB)!

Express Your Interest by Friday, May 31

It’s already time to gear up for 2019’s Battle of the Books, which will be held this year on Saturday, October 19 at Hommocks Middle School in Larchmont. BOB is a county-wide competition among teams from Westchester Library System member libraries in which team members take part in a Jeopardy-style game in which they are quizzed on details from a pre-selected group of books.

Once again, the Pelham Library will “field” two teams — one for children in grades 4 – 6 and the other for grades 7 – 10. Participants are required to read their team’s five books over the summer, along with re-reading the books and attending several evening practices in September and October.

To see the book selections for this year, go to pelhamlibrary.org — and if you want to get more information or sign up for a team, reach out to the coaches no later than Friday May 31. Augusta Turner, coach for grades 4 – 6 can be reached at [email protected], or (914) 813-1216 and Oz Coto-Chang, coach for grades 7 -10, can be reached at [email protected] or (914) 813-1657.

Elementary School-Aged Book Clubs

Walk-ins are welcome to the Library’s elementary school book clubs for grades 1 – 4, but registration is requested by calling the Library at (914) 738-1234. Book club books are usually available at the circulation desk for immediate checkout.

Special Guest at the Fourth-Grade Book Club: Maryann Macdonald, Author of Odette’s Secrets

Monday, April 29, 4 – 5 p.m.

This edition of the Fourth-Grade Book Club is open to children grades 3 and up! The special guest will be Maryann Macdonald, author of the novel Odette’s Secrets. The novel, based on a real-life story, focuses on Odette Meyer, a young Jewish girl who is sent away to the countryside from Nazi-occupied Paris. There she is forced to hide the secrets of who she really is, even going to Catholic Mass with other children. When she eventually returns to Paris, she has to deal with whether she has changed too much to resume the life she once had.

Third Grade Book Club: A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold, illustrated by Charles Santoso

Monday, April 8, 5 – 5:30 p.m.

Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat), a young boy on the autism spectrum, is the focus of this book (and series). In this introductory book, Bat tries to convince his veterinary mom that the baby skunk she’s brought home temporarily would make a perfect pet.

Second-Grade Book Club: On the Dog (Andrew Lost #1) by J.C. Greenburg

Thursday, April 25, 4 – 5 p.m.

Andrew and his sister, Judy, get lost on the neighbor’s dog when Andrew’s Atom Sucker invention malfunctions and shrinks them down to a tiny size. In fact, they are so small that things like fleas and mites on the dog are giant monsters to them. How will they get back to Andrew’s invention and find a way for it to get them back to normal size?

First-Grade Book Club: Once in a Blue Moon by Danielle Daniel

Monday, April 8, 4:30 – 5 p.m.

This book of short poems focuses on unique experiences in nature that can suddenly make a day one to remember. Some of the poems’ themes include seeing a double rainbow and the Northern Lights and interactions with wildlife.

Early Literacy Programs

Story Time

Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10:15 – 10:45 a.m.

Take the little one in your life to Story Time! Caregivers must be in attendance and participate with the children they accompany. The Library requests there be no phone use or talking during Story Time. Because of this program’s popularity, a ticketing system is used to prevent overcrowding.

Spanish-English Story Time

Saturday, April 6, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

This popular bilingual Story Time program is held monthly, led by Pelham resident Michelle Simon.

Chinese-English Story Time 

Saturdays, April 13, 27, 10:30 – 11 a.m.

Chinese-English Story Time is held every other Saturday morning at the Library, and led by local Chinese-speaking parents.

Au Pair Story Time

Upcoming sessions: Fridays, April 26, May 31, 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.

The Library is now holding a monthly Au Pair Story Time program in which local au pairs read the stories! Registration is not required. This program is offered in partnership with Cultural Care Au Pair. Au pairs who might be interested in volunteering should contact the Library by calling (914) 738-1234. This program is also a great opportunity to meet other au pairs!

Sign-up is not required for the bilingual and Au Pair Story Times.

(For programs requiring registration, call the Library at 914-738-1234. Programs for young children require adult supervision.)

More Children’s Programs

Homework and Tech Help

Mondays – Thursdays, 3 – 5 p.m.

This is a drop-in program for children in grades K – 6, held during the school year when school is in session. (It will be on hiatus during spring break week.) Make sure to bring your textbooks and other materials. Additionally, anyone can drop in and get tech help with their devices!

Smile! It’s Dental Story Time!

Friday, April 5, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Dental hygienist Joanne Roos, from Tuckahoe’s Main Street Pediatric Dentistry, will come to the Library to teach kids about keeping their teeth clean. Attendance is on a first-come, first-served basis. For pre-K and up.

Meet Some Bees

Thursday, April 18, 7 – 9 p.m.

John Gallagher (who also teaches chess at the Library) will present a two-hour class discussing honey bees, the important role they play in our lives and environment, the plight they are currently experiencing — and what we can do to help them. In addition to be bringing some honey bees, he will bring his beekeeper clothing and a hive! Attendance is first come, first served.

Yoga for Pre-schoolers!

Friday, April 19, 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.

Yoga instructor Elizabeth “Tizzy” Casario will come to the Library for this special program for pre-schoolers, including babies! Tizzy, a former ballet dancer, is certified both as an Experienced  Registered Yoga Teacher and a Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance. Registration is not required.

Have Fun with the Lego Club!

Upcoming sessions: Mondays, May 6, June 3, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Lego lovers of all ages are invited to come to the Library’s monthly Lego Club. You’ll get to use your imagination to build unique Lego models to be displayed at the library! You provide the creativity; the library provides the Legos. Registration is required.

Teen Programs

Come Play Dungeons & Dragons

Upcoming sessions: Thursdays, April 11, 25, 3 – 5 p.m.

The first fantasy role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons is a world where players are the characters in an ongoing story — come and play the tabletop version. According to the Dungeons & Dragons website, “The core of D&D is storytelling. You and your friends tell a story together, guiding your heroes through quests for treasure, battles with deadly foes, daring rescues, courtly intrigue, and much more.” Registration is not required.

TechShopz: Tell Your Story with Graphics!

Tuesday, April 9 and Thursday, April 11, 3:30 – 5 p.m.

TechShopz is being run by local teen Allie Feldman who is teaching a series of three-hour workshops, each of which are broken into a Tuesday afternoon session and a Thursday afternoon session. Different technical skills are featured in each workshop. This month’s focus is telling your story with graphics! TechShopz is for kids grades six and up. Attendees are expected to come to both sessions and will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Try Out T(ween) Yoga!

Monday, April 15, 1:15 – 2:15 p.m.

Certified yoga instructor Elizabeth “Tizzy” Casario will come to the Library for this special program teens and tweens, ages 8 – 18. Tizzy, a former ballet dancer, is certified both as an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher and a Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance. Registration is not required.

Adult Programs

After-Dark Book Club: Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill by Candice Millard

Thursday, April 4, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

This book details Winston Churchill’s time in South Africa at the turn of the twentieth century, and specifically the events that he once said would
“ …  lay the foundations of my later life.” After being taken prisoner in 1899 when he was a journalist covering Britain’s colonial war with South Africa’s Boer rebels, Churchill escapes, enlists, comes back to South Africa and frees his once fellow prisoners. These long-ago adventures set the stage for his emergence as one of the towering figures of the twentieth century. Extra copies of book club selections are usually at the Circulation Desk, or you can find them through the Library’s e-resources such as OverDrive.

Knit Happens on Monday Nights!

Upcoming sessions: Mondays, April 8, 15, 22, 29. All sessions 6:30 – 8:45 p.m.

Love to knit? Want to learn? Gather your needles and yarn and join us every Monday night for an informal adult needlework group from 6:30 – 8:45 p.m. Knitters of all abilities are welcome, but beginners planning to attend should call Librarian Augusta Turner at (914) 738-1234 beforehand to confirm an instructor will be available that night.

Crafty Adults: Ukrainian Easter Eggs!

Upcoming session, Thursday, April 11, May 9, 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Ever envied all of the arts and crafts programs just for kids at the Library? Envy no more! Pelham resident and art instructor Sara Mallach brings her talents to the Library for this monthly program, Crafty Adults. At the April session, attendees will make Ukrainian Easter eggs! It’s a great opportunity for grown-ups to cultivate their inner creativity. This program is for those ages 14 and up, and attendance is limited to the first fifteen people who show up.

2^nd-Friday Book Club: The Liars’ Club by Mary Karr

Friday, April 12, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

This compelling 2005 memoir focuses on the hardscrabble childhood Karr experienced in an east Texas oil town. Her family includes a father who drinks too much and a mother who has remarried — many times. It was described by USA Today as “funny, lively, and un-put-downable… ”

Learn About Ayurvedic Medicine

Monday, April 15, 7 – 9 p.m.

Ayurveda is thought to be the world’s oldest healing system and is referred to as the “mother of all sciences.” It encompasses life in its totality and epitomizes a true body-mind approach to health and wellness. In this lecture by Dr. Somesh N. Kaushik, attendees will learn all about Ayurvedic medicine and also how it can be integrated with conventional medicine. Registration is requested but not required

Adults Who Color!

Mondays, April 22, 29, 6:30 – 8:45 p.m.

Adults Who Color returns! The Library supplies everything for this adult coloring program: coloring pages, color pencils and markers. No experience or registration necessary, but remember, this is for grownups only.

Demystifying Medicare and Healthcare Coverage for Seniors

Thursday, April 25, 6 – 9 p.m.

This informative session, part of the Westchester Library System’s Westchester Seniors Speaking Out (WSOS) volunteer program, is directed toward anyone looking to navigate the complicated healthcare system for older adults. In addition to Medicare, it will cover Medicare Advantage Plans, Part D prescription drug plans, Medigap insurance and various cost-saving programs. Registration suggested, but walk-ins are welcome.

With Gratitude for the Support

The yoga programs and the honey bee program, along with supplies for Crafty Adults, are made possible by The Friends of the Town of Pelham Public Library. The 2^nd-Friday Book Club is made possible by a gift in memory of Karin and Ted Mayer.

Thank you also to our talented volunteers who enable us to provide many additional programs.