Isaiah Dunn is My Hero
Unspeakable
Staff Picks

South Carolina Children's Book Award Nominees 2022-2023

  • Heather M.
  • Sunday, June 19
The South Carolina Children's Book Award is granted annually by the South Carolina Association of School Librarians (SCASL). The nominees represent quality contemporary literature for 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th graders, selected by students, parents, teachers, and librarians. Below are the 2022-2023 nominees in print, audio, and ebook formats.
Blog
Richland Library Edgewood

Dinner Table Talks: The Magic Fish

  • Taelor J.
    Heather M.
    Jocelyn T.
  • Thursday, June 23
Dinner Table Talks create the opportunity for families to have important conversations centered around books. These discussions will build our capacity for talking about race and define our roles in fighting against both every day and systemic racism.
King and the Dragonflies
This is Our Rainbow
Staff Picks

Read All About It: LGBTQI2SA+ Middle Grade Books

  • Jocelyn T.
  • Friday, June 10
Read the rainbow and discover these LGBTQI2SA+ middle grade books that show us love is love and that we are truly free to be you and me. Looking for more good books? Get personalized reading recommendation lists  from children's literature experts.
The Donkey and the Rock
Monkey King Wreaks Havoc in Heaven
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Asian Folklore Titles for Youth

  • Jocelyn T.
  • Friday, June 10
Read and celebrate the amazing Asian folklore stories about grand heroes, exciting adventures, and fantastical places below! Looking for even more good books? Check out our personalized recommendations or call us at 803-799-9084. Find more resources on race, equity, and inclusion, here.
Amari and the Night Brothers
Amari and the Night Brothers
Staff Picks

South Carolina Junior Book Award Nominees 2022-2023

  • Jennifer N.
  • Thursday, May 19
The South Carolina Junior Book Award is granted annually by the South Carolina Association of School Librarians (SCASL). The nominees represent quality contemporary literature for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, selected by students, parents, teachers, and librarians. Below are the 2022-2023 nominees in print, audio, and ebook formats.
Ghosts, Toast, and Other Hazards
Flowerheart
Staff Picks

Youth Titles to Read for Mental Health Awareness Month

  • Ashley S.
  • Thursday, May 12
Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness month has been celebrated in the United States each May. Every single year millions of adults, teens, and children face the reality of living with a mental health condition. Books are a great place to start to better understand and build empathy towards those with these lived experiences. Check out the list below for youth titles that have released in the past two years that bring awareness to mental health conditions like OCD, anxiety, depression, and more.
Samira Surfs
The Maps of Memory
Staff Picks

Great Books for Ages 11, 12, 13 | 2022

  • Richland Library
  • Wednesday, May 11
Middle school readers are still figuring out the world while trying to figure out themselves. They may look for books that reflect their experience or give them a window or sliding glass
Stuntboy, in the Meantime
Ancestor Approved
Staff Picks

Great Books for Ages 9, 10, 11 | 2022

  • Richland Library
  • Wednesday, May 11
"This is Stuntboy. This guy, right here. Him. You can't tell just looking at him, but he's the greatest superhero you've never heard of." --Stuntboy, in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds
Too Small Tola
Too Small Tola
Staff Picks

Great Books for Ages 7, 8, 9 | 2022

  • Richland Library
  • Wednesday, May 11
"Tola is the youngest in her family. And the smallest. And everybody calls her Too Small Tola, which makes her feel too-too small." --Too Small Tola by Atinuke
Blog
Richland Library Main

Kids in Print 2022

  • Heather M.
  • Saturday, May 07
Congratulations to the illustrators and writers featured in this year's edition of Kids in Print 2022!
The One Day House
No Voice Too Small
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Connecting with Our Community

  • Heather M.
  • Wednesday, May 04
"One day," said Wilson. "I will fix the roof on Gigi's house to keep out the wind and snow."--The One Day House by Julia Durango Whether it's helping a neighbor, volunteering or bringing people together to fix a problem too big for any one person, these stories of community let us know that we have the ability to make a difference in the lives of the people around us.
Blog
Richland Library Main

An Amazing Children's Author: Jane Yolen

  • Caitlin B.
  • Thursday, May 05
Jane Yolen has been called the Hans Christian Andersen of America and the Aesop of the twentieth century due to her command of folklore, fantasy, and myth. Her storytelling reaches a vast audience, from the youngest board book reader to the young adult.
Blog
Richland Library Main

Finding the Right Book for Your Child

  • Richland Library
  • Thursday, May 26
Choosing books for your child is a bit like a match-making process. Not all children will love the same books. To help you find the right match, we’ve curated some recommendations to try on and see what fits.
Blog
Richland Library Main

That's Gross!

  • Caitlin B.
  • Monday, April 18
Does your kid love reading about, talking about, asking questions about "gross" things like poop, mud, and slime? You've come to the right place.
Blog
Richland Library Sandhills

#BrainBreak: Chalk It Up

  • Emily Barber
  • Wednesday, April 13
Take your coloring outdoors with sidewalk chalk! You never outgrow the joy of taking to the concrete and getting your fingers smudged all sorts of colors.
Blog
Richland Library Main

Dinner Table Talks: Missing Daddy and Dad Bakes

  • Heather M.
    Jocelyn T.
    Taelor J.
  • Tuesday, June 06
Dinner Table Talks create the opportunity for families to have important conversations centered around books. These discussions will build our capacity for talking about race and define our roles in fighting against both every day and systemic racism.
Witch Hat Atelier. Vol. 01
The Legend of Zelda. Twilight Princess. Vol. 01
Staff Picks

Manga For Tween Readers

  • Thomas M.
  • Friday, March 11
Manga (Japanese comics) offer endless worlds and types of stories for audiences, but where should younger readers begin? The list below includes titles for tween readers who are curious about manga.
Blog
Richland Library Southeast

Switching to LECA: Another Way to Grow Houseplants

  • Brianna K.
  • Tuesday, March 15
In the fall of 2021, I decided to change my houseplants' growing medium from soil to LECA (Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate). At that time, I had over 30 houseplants and found it challenging to keep up with their watering schedules and pest control. Then, one day, I came across a video on YouTube about LECA.
Anansi Does the Impossible!
Staff Picks

A Year of Black History

  • Helene F.
  • Thursday, February 10
A Year of Black History Continues Folktales, comics and history ... here we are! Also, Hoopla is allowing 15 checkouts for the month of February, as well as bonus borrows. Hoopla offers many comic book/graphic novels to choose from! Please, enter your email address and password associated with Hoopla.
Black Boy Joy
Rebound
Staff Picks

#OwnVoices: The Black Joy in Middle Grade Books

  • Taelor J.
  • Wednesday, February 09
The experiences of young black children is not all rooted in trauma. No child wants to constantly read about oppression, hardships and struggles. There is Joy in being black and it is important for children to not just seem themselves in books but see themselves in a positive light. The books below are simply about Black kids just living!
Black Boy Joy
Recognize!
Staff Picks

CSMCL's Best Multicultural Children's Novels and Nonfiction of 2021

  • Caitlin B.
  • Tuesday, February 01
The following novels and nonfiction books were all named in the Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature's Best Multicultural Children's Books of 2021. Want to learn more about diverse books? Check out this blog post. Want more books? Ask your librarian for their recommendations or call the Children's Room at Richland Library Main (803.929.3434). We can send books to your closest Richland Library location!
We Shall Overcome
Soul Food Sunday
Staff Picks

CSMCL's Best Multicultural Picture Books of 2021

  • Caitlin B.
  • Tuesday, February 01
The following picture books were all named in the Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature's Best Multicultural Children's Books of 2021. Want to learn more about diverse books? Check out this blog post. Want more books? Ask your librarian for their recommendations or call the Children's Room at Richland Library Main (803.929.3434). We can send books to your closest Richland Library location!
Blog
Richland Library Edgewood

#OwnVoices: Children's Books Reflection of 2021

  • Taelor J.
  • Thursday, June 23
Missed out on 2021 book releases? Don't worry, you can find #OwnVoices books published in 2021 for both younger and older children here. I don't forget to look out for what's to come in 2022!
Blog
Richland Library North Main

2022

  • Zsuzsanna C.
  • Thursday, December 30
The Bad Seed
The Good Egg
Staff Picks

Top Checkouts 2021: Children's eBooks 📱

  • Richland Library
  • Wednesday, December 29
Curious as to what your friends' and neighbors' children were reading in 2021? Us too! Long story, short. It was a good year to be a wimpy kid, a teen wizard, or Dog Man.
A Wrinkle in Time
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Staff Picks

Top Checkouts 2021: Children's Audiobooks 🎧

  • Richland Library
  • Wednesday, December 29
Curious as to what your friends' and neighbors' children were listening to in 2021? Us too! Long story, short. It was a good year to be a teen with magical powers.
Blog
Richland Library Main

Top Checkouts of 2021

  • Richland Library
  • Thursday, December 30
2021 ushered in a year of stellar new releases from old favorites, a barrage of debut authors, and lots of titles that broadened our bookshelves (and minds) and filled up our streaming queues. Here's a look at the top 10 books, movies, and songs by age group and format.
Blog
Richland Library Main

Peppermint Catapults

  • Richland Library
  • Saturday, December 18
Launch yourself into the holiday spirit by learning how to create a peppermint catapult.
Blog
Richland Library Edgewood

Dinner Table Talks: Buffalo Bird Girl: A Hidatsa Story

  • Taelor J.
    Heather M.
    Jocelyn T.
  • Friday, November 04
Dinner Table Talks create the opportunity for families to have important conversations centered around books. This conversation focuses on the nonfiction children's biography, Buffalo Bird Girl: A Hidatsa Story by S.D. Nelson.
This Indian Kid
#NotYourPrincess
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Indigenous and Native Biographies & History for Older Readers

  • Thursday, December 02
Discover the true stories and history of Indigenous and Native people of the Americas in these titles for middle grade and teen readers. Looking for even more good books? Check out our personalized recommendations or call us at 803-799-9084. Find more resources on race, equity, and inclusion, here.
Blog
Richland Library Main

A-maize-ing Corn Husk Dolls

  • Richland Library
  • Monday, November 29
A perfect Fall activity to spice up your holiday; the art of corn husk doll making is steeped in tradition and fun for the whole family.
Blog
Richland Library Main

Women Who Dared

  • Caitlin B.
  • Friday, November 19
The Children's Room holds many fascinating biographies about these women, from Ada Byron Lovelace, who created the language for future computer code, to Maryam Mirzakhani, modern mathematician. These women kept asking questions, kept reading, and kept discovering, no matter what obstacles they faced.
#NotYourPrincess
Native American Voices on Identity, Art, and Culture
Staff Picks

Soaring Voices

  • Helene F.
  • Friday, November 12
Many First Nation voices, past and present tell us of their worlds, experiences and dreams. Some of these titles are available as ebooks and other formats. You can also get personalized reading recommendations by email.
Blog
Richland Library North Main

Native American Heritage Month

  • Zsuzsanna C.
  • Monday, November 07
There are 9.7 million Native Americans belonging to 562 federally recognized nations or tribes that live in the US, each with a unique history.
Blog
Richland Library Ballentine

Native Plants at Ballentine: Crane-Fly Orchid

  • Melissa Sprenne
  • Saturday, September 03
Native Plant Spotlight: Crane-Fly Orchids Did you know that South Carolina has several species of native orchids? They're not as flashy as the tropical orchids you typically see for sale in grocery stores or at garden centers, but it is fun to stumble across them when you're walking in the woods.
Hatchet
Alida's Song
Staff Picks

Remembering Gary Paulsen (May 1939 - October 2021)

  • Ariel H.
  • Thursday, October 14
Gary Paulsen, a well-known YA fiction author, passed away on the morning of October 13, 2021. A list has been created to recognized the amazing contributions he has made to many readers throughout the world.
Blog
Richland Library Main

#OwnVoices: Clean Getaway by Nic Stone (A Review)

  • Ariel H.
  • Thursday, June 23
How to Go on an Unplanned Road Trip with Your Grandma: Grab a Suitcase: Prepacked from the big spring break trip that got CANCELLED. Fasten Your Seatbelt: G'ma's never conventional, so this trip won't be either. Use the Green Book: G'ma's most treasured possession. It holds history, memories, and most important, the way home. What Not to Bring: A Cell Phone: Avoid contact with Dad at all costs. Even when G'ma starts acting stranger than usual.
Blended
Anna Hibiscus
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Multiracial Families in Middle Grade Novels

  • Heather M.
  • Friday, October 01
“Tell the Court I love my wife, and it is just unfair that I can’t live with her in Virginia.” --Richard Loving In 1967, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of interracial marriage in all 50 states in the case known as Loving v. Virginia. Our families may look different, may worship differently and may speak a different language. Check out one these middle grade novels and discover that, no matter our differences, love connects us all.
Black is Brown is Tan
Black is Brown is Tan.
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Multiracial Families in Picture Books

  • Jocelyn T.
  • Friday, October 01
Families across the world might look different from yours or have different customs, and they might even have different challenges that you might not know much about or fully understand. Some of these families might consist of people from different races, however, at the root of it all, is love. Below is a list of beautiful and thoughtful picture books about multiracial families that you and your family are sure to enjoy and learn from!
Blog
Richland Library Main

iRead: Selina Alko

  • Heather M.
  • Friday, September 24
iRead features the best ebooks, eaudiobooks and print books for children and teens curated by the Children's Room and Teen Center staff. Growing up in Vancouver, British Columbia with a Turkish Jewish father who spoke seven languages and taught painting, and a Jewish mother who worked in the family’s century-old metal recycling business, Selina Alko was surrounded by the melody of words and stories from different places and varied visual possibilities.
Blog
Richland Library Main

iRead: Sean Qualls

  • Heather M.
  • Friday, September 24
iRead features the best ebooks, eaudiobooks and print books for children and teens curated by the Children's Room and Teen Center staff. Artist and Children's book illustrator Sean Qualls finds inspiration everywhere.
Unbowed
The Basics of Ecology
Staff Picks

🌍World Environmental Health Day [September 26, 2021]🌍

  • Ariel H.
  • Monday, September 20
Here is a list to jump-start your dive into learning more about the biosphere you live in, and the ecosystems surrounding you (and also living within you). In addition, for those that are familiar with environmental science, there are additional books to expand your knowledge while possibly making an activist out of you.
The Year I Flew Away
Curse of the Forgotten City
Staff Picks

Middle Grade Reads for Hispanic Heritage Month

  • Kenyanah B.
  • Wednesday, September 15
National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15) recognizes the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans. Celebrate by checking out these Middle Grade titles. Looking for more great reads to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with? Check out this list or use our Personalized Recommendations form to find your next great read!
Go Long!
Goal Line
Staff Picks

Take the Field! Football Novels for Children

  • Jenny D.
  • Wednesday, September 08
Who's ready for some football? If you just can't get enough gridiron action to satisfy your love of the game, take a look at these novels featuring plenty of pigskin!