Well-known children’s book illustrator, Jerry Pinkney of Croton has a new honor—a Randolph Caldecott Medal to his credit.

This morning the American Library Association awarded the Westchester-ite yet a Caldecott Medal, one of the most prestigious honors in the children’s book world, according to morning news releases. Rebecca Stead won the companion Newbery Award for her [...]

When I think of American poet Walt Whitman, I recall free verse poetry and his collection, “Leaves of Grass.”  I never thought about his views on the Civil War, slavery and Abraham Lincoln.

But my vision has been expanded.  This weekend I went to the Katonah Museum of Art to see an exhibit “Bold, Cautious, True: [...]

A former child slave from Sudan is set to speak Sunday at the 14th annual Martin?Luther King Jr. program at the Desmond-Fish Library.

The  “Bringing the Dream Home: Civil Rights and the Hudson Valley” features Simon Deng,  a human rights activist who speaks across the U. S.; has addressed the United Nations Human Rights Commission in [...]

A favorite of Oprah, Pearl Cleage is coming to Tarrytown this Monday where she will talk about her writing, social issues and  Martin Luther King.

She is the sole featured speaker at the Westchester Library System 12th annual African American Writers & Readers Literary Tea, co-sponsored by the Westchester County chapter of The Links, Inc.

It is [...]

This spring’s Empire State Book Festival will feature the induction of 12 authors into a newly created  New York State Writers Hall of Fame.

The inaugural group will include ten writers who are deceased and two living whose writings have made a lasting contribution to literature, according to today’s news release.

The writers are James Baldwin, Elizabeth [...]

The annual Robert Burns Supper at the Kisco Masonic Lodge is gearing up once again and will be held later this month.  Local organizers caution that kilts will be worn but not mandatory. The  dress code is business casual.

Actually, this year is the 251st anniversary of the birth of Robert Burn, Jan. 25, 1759.  Burns, [...]

For those with job-hunting on their 2010 agenda, here is a jump start.

The WEBS Career and Educational Counseling Service will be offering two types of free eight-week career counseling and life planning programs in public libraries throughout Westchester County this winter. WEBS is sponsored by the Westchester Library System, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in [...]

Here’s something just for women who have had that urge to write down their thoughts but need some peer support.

The Briarcliff Manor Public Library is hosting a four-session forum, “Express Yourself through Writing with other Women! A Writing Workshop for Women” beginning Jan. 9.

It will take place in the newly-renovated library, off  Pleasantville Road in [...]

The National Book Foundation is again sponsoring a competition recognizing those who have gone to great lengths to inspire people to become lifelong readers.

I know there must be some Innovation in Reading contenders  in our midst — at libraries, schools, book clubs, booksellers, community groups. Line up and send those applications to the National [...]

When it comes to learning and reading, award winning author-illustrator Brian Pinkey says libraries are the real deal and his destination for information and inspiration.

He recently spoke to second and third graders at the Todd Elementary School in Briarcliff where he was quoted as saying: “Whenever I want to learn about something, I go to [...]