Greenburgh Public Library Blog

Great Parenting Resources @ GPL

"The thing about parenting rules is there aren’t any. That’s what makes it so difficult." - Ewan McGregor

Did you know that the Greenburgh Public Library has a Parenting Center located right in the Children’s Room?  The Parenting Center is home to books for both children and parents. There are pictures books to be read WITH children and Parenting books for parents, guardians and caregivers on a wide range of topics: books on potty training, helping your kids develop study skills and managing kids' screen time. We also have a collection of Parenting DVDs.

The Parenting Picture Book Collection contains books that are meant to be used WITH children.  It is broken into categories to help parents and guardians easily find topics they want to address with their child.  The categories are as follows:

BABIES - Is there a new baby on the way?  Is your child going to be a big sister or  brother? Do you need books that discuss adoption?  This section has a large collection of books on these baby related topics.

Big Sister by Marianne Richmond

Mom and Dad told me I am going to be a big sister. "No thanks," I said. "We already have me." Becoming a big sister is a big change. New babies need lots of attention even though they don't do very much when they're little. But after all the eating, sleeping, and going potty, babies need their big sisters! 

The Story I'll Tell by Nancy Tupper Ling

Beautifully illustrated by Jessica Lanan, The Story I'll Tell is a gentle and moving story of adoption and parental love, taking the form of answers to a young child's question to his mother. 

 

 

CHANGES - The “Changes” collection helps children transition to something new. Moving to a new home, sleeping in a bed from a crib and no longer using a pacifier are some of the varied topics. 

Big Kid Bed by Leslie Patricelli 

Who wouldn't want a big bed all their own? Goodbye, crib. Hello, bed! Baby is happy to move on to the next phase of sleep furniture. There's so much to do on a big, soft bed -- lie on it, play on it, bounce on it! At bedtime, Daddy tucks Baby in, Mommy says good night, and there's so much space, and the bed feels so . . . different. What now? 

My Best Friend Moved Away by Nancy Carlson

From building forts, to sharing secrets, to sitting together on the bus, best friends do everything together. So what do you do when your best friend moves away? Will you ever have fun again? Is there any hope of having a new best friend? Or will you be bored and lonely for the rest of your life? Perfect for coping with those best-friend-moved-away blues, Nancy Carlson's wise and heartfelt story will ease the pain of saying good-bye, while reassuring young readers that they can make new friends even as they keep the old ones close to their heart

 

DEATH- The books in this section compassionately answer children’s questions about death and grief.

The End of Something Wonderful by Stephanie V. W. Lucianovic

Children love their pets very much--and when the animals die, that loss can be hard to process. The End of Something Wonderful helps kids handle their feelings when they're hurting and can't find all the right words. In a warm, understanding, sometimes funny way, it guides children as they plan a backyard funeral to say goodbye, from choosing a box and a burial spot to giving a eulogy and wiping away tears. Most of all, it reassures them that it's not the end of everything . . . and that Something Wonderful can always happen again.

Always Remember by Cece Meng; Alison Jago (Illustrator)

After Old Turtle swims his last swim and breathes his last breath, and the waves gently take him away, his friends lovingly remember how he impacted each and every one of them. As the sea animals think back on how much better Old Turtle made their lives and their world, they realize that he is not truly gone, because his memory and legacy will last forever. 

FAMILY - Picture books to read with children about divorce, same sex parents and other family dynamics.

Monday, Wednesday, and Every Other Weekend by Karen Stanton (Illustrator)

Henry Cooper and his dog Pomegranate have two houses. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and every other weekend, they live with Mama in her new apartment, but on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and every other weekend, they live with Papa in his new house. Henry and Pomegranate are happy as they dance with Mama and sing with Papa, but Henry knows that sometimes Pomegranate gets confused and just wants to go . . . home. 

Mommy, Mama, and Me by Carol Thompson (Illustrator); Lesléa Newman

One of the only original board books about gay parents! A perfect purchase for new parents, baby showers, and more! Rhythmic text and illustrations with universal appeal show a toddler spending the day with its mommies. From hide-and-seek to dress-up, then bath time and a kiss goodnight, there's no limit to what a loving family can do together. Shares the loving bond between same-sex parents and their children.

GENERAL - This collection has books dealing with emotions, behaviors and miscellaneous topics.

 Hands Off, Harry! by Rosemary Wells

"Guess what happened at school today!" Kindergators work and play happily in Miss Harmony's class. But Harry isn't being a good classmate! He's disrupting Friendly Circle, causing accidents, and upsetting the class. Can the Kindergators find a way to help Harry learn to respect personal space?

Calm-Down Time by Elizabeth Verdick

Every parent, caregiver and young child knows the misery that comes with meltdowns and temper tantrums. Through rhythmic text and warm illustrations, this gentle, reassuring book offers toddlers simple tools to release strong feelings, express them, and calm themselves down. Children learn to use their calm-down place - a quiet space where they can take time out. After a break, toddlers will feel like new - and adults will, too. 

 

HEALTH - Picture books to read with children about potty training, going to the doctor and losing their teeth.

Maisy Goes to the Hospital by Lucy Cousins

The perfect prescription for preschoolers who may be visiting the hospital — and a healthy story-time choice for Maisy’s loyal fans. One day as Maisy is bouncing on her trampoline, she bounces a LITTLE too high. Oh, no! What will happen after she falls and hurts her leg? Maisy’s friend Charley goes with her to the hospital, where X-rays, a cast, and an overnight stay ensue. Maisy feels strange to be away from home, but a friendly patient soon helps her feel better. Little readers will be relieved and intrigued to share a memorable — and perhaps familiar — experience with Maisy.

 

Tooth on the Loose by Susan Middleton Elya;

An original take on losing a tooth. This little girl has tried everything to make her loose tooth come out before her dad's birthday (except letting her brother yank it) so she'll have money to buy him a gift. Nothing has worked and now it's the big day. She just can't go to his party empty handed! At the last second, her mom helps her think of a gift that doesn't require any money just imagination and heart. 

There are numerous challenges facing parents in the 21st Century.  The Parenting Center has books that helps with many parenting issues from diapers to driving.  There is now even a section of parenting books in Spanish!  Here is a sampling of some of the newest additions to the Parenting Section:

ParentShift by Wendy Thomas Russell; Linda Hatfield; Ty Hatfield

Groundbreaking in both its scope and methodology, ParentShift challenges some of our most popular disciplinary tools and replaces them with more than a dozen "toolkits" designed to help parents solve virtually any household without sabotaging their long=term goals.All children -- regardless of geography, ethnicity or socio-economic status -- are bound together by ten universal truths. These truths account for the vast majority of children's everyday behavior, both positive and negative.

1-2-3 Magia by Thomas Phelan
The #1 child discipline book, now available in Spanish! "¡Las ideas de este libro funcionan! Realmente es como magia, siento que recuperé el mando." La segunda edición del exitoso 1-2-3 Magiaque ha vendido 1.8 millones de copias internacionalmente en más de 20 idiomas por el aclamado experto Thomas W. Phelan, Ph.D. ha compilado dos décadas de estudio y experiencia en un fácil de usar programa diseñado para padres haciendo esfuerzo para conectar con sus hijos mas profundamente para ayudarlos a crecer y desarrollarse en niños, adolescentes y adultos saludables y capaces. Dr. Phelan explica la complicada tarea de crianza en tres pasos sencillos: Ayudando a sus niños a aprender como controlar sus emociones y abstener del mal comportamiento, incluyendo: cómo manejar la rivalidad entre hermanos, berrinches, pucheros y mentiras. 

 

Viral Parenting by Mindy McKnight

VIRAL PARENTING is a guide to raising responsible, safe, and communicative kids in the digital world. Mindy shares practical tools for having honest conversations with kids of all ages about privacy, bullying, respectfulness, and family time, while emphasizing the importance of trust and open communication. These strategies are timeless--whether applied to texting, snapping, Facebooking, kiking, or whatever social media platforms await us in the future, this book is ultimately about teaching children about personal responsibility and safety. Mindy shares practical tools for creating family rules for kids of all ages about privacy, bullying, respectfulness, and family time, while emphasizing the importance of trust and open communication.