Blog
Richland Library Main

Trombone Shorty and Other Jazz Greats

  • Caitlin B.
  • Wednesday, January 19

A belated 'happy birthday' to Troy Andrews, aka Trombone Shorty, and a list of great jazz books from the Children's Room.

Black Boy Joy
Black Boy Joy
List

#OwnVoices: Middle Grade Books of 2021

  • Taelor J.
  • Saturday, January 08
While it is important for young children to see themselves in pictures books, it is equally important for older children to relate to the characters in the books they read. Below you can find a list of #OwnVoices books released in 2021 and written by African American authors for older children.
Blog
Richland Library Edgewood

#OwnVoices: Children's Books Reflection of 2021

  • Taelor J.
  • Saturday, January 08

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!

The Bad Seed
The Good Egg
List

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
List

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. 

Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld
Ancestor Approved
List

2021 Holiday Gifts for Upper Elementary

  • Thursday, December 09
Children at this age are branching out into longer books.  Novels can echo their real life experiences, but they can also tell new stories, boosting their imaginations and building their empathy.  Books for tweens can be their way of fitting in or standing out.  These books can also offer comfort during this time of transition and help them discover who they might grow up to be. 
Blog
Richland Library Sandhills

#BrainBreak: Doodling

  • Emily Barber
  • Wednesday, December 08

Need some help staying focused? Doodling can help you learn or relax.

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.
  • Tuesday, December 07

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.  

Buffalo Bird Girl
Red Bird Sings
List

Read All About It: Indigenous and Native Picture Book Biographies

  • Jocelyn T.
  • Thursday, December 02
Discover the true stories and history of Indigenous and Native people of North America in these picture book titles.   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.
#NotYourPrincess
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
List

Read All About It: Indigenous and Native Middle Grade & YA Biographies

  • Jocelyn T.
  • Thursday, December 02
Discover the true stories and history of Indigenous and Native people of North America 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
List

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 Main

Our Newest Dyslexic Hero: Aaron Slater, Illustrator

  • Emily J.
  • Thursday, November 04

The newest Questioners book, Aaron Slater Illustrator by Andrea Beaty and illustrated by David Roberts hit the shelves today and introduces to our newest hero, Aaron Slater creative thinker

Blog
Richland Library Ballentine

Native Plants at Ballentine: Crane-Fly Orchid

  • Melissa S.
  • Friday, November 19

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
List

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.
  • Wednesday, October 13

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
List

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.
List

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!
Small Spaces
The Jumbies
List

Stories You Shouldn't Listen to After Dark!

  • Taelor J.
  • Thursday, September 30
There is nothing like listening to a good spooky story! Here are some scary and not-so- scary middle grade books to get listeners in the Spooky Spirit. Grab a blanket and get cozy as you listen along to some hair raising tales!
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
List

🌍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.

Jan 29 11:00 a.m.

Event
Community Event

It's a GULLAH GEECHEE Celebration!

The Year I Flew Away
Curse of the Forgotten City
List

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
List

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!
Blog
Richland Library North Main

#OwnVoices: The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage

  • Jocelyn T.
  • Wednesday, September 08

To some, 1967 seems like it was so long ago, but that was only fifty-four years ago. Only fifty-four years ago, Richard and Mildred Loving were fighting the state of Virginia to recognize their marriage. Only fifty-four years ago, two people (who just happened to be different races) had to fight to legally show their love to the world. 

Ghost
Simon and Chester
List

Ghost Stories for Young People

  • Caitlin B.
  • Tuesday, September 07
Ghost stories have been told for as long as storytelling has existed. There are ghosts and spirits of the dead in Homer's Odyssey, the Old Testament of the Bible, in One Thousand and One Nights, as well as in several of Shakespeare's plays. Children's literature is no exception. From picture books, folktales, and even graphic novels, ghosts are the subject of all sorts of stories. Below is a list of picture books, graphic novels, and novels that contain fascinating stories of ghosts.
Blog
Richland Library Main

Dinner Table Talks: Where Are You From?

  • Heather M.
    Jocelyn T.
  • Saturday, September 04

Dinner Table Talks create the opportunity for families to have important conversations centered around books.  

Antiracist Baby
The Talk
List

Let's Talk Race (as a Family...)

  • Heather M.
  • Friday, August 27
Having "The Talk" can feel daunting.  Whether it's sexuality, staying safe or race--it can be difficult to know where to begin. By talking about these important topics early and often, parents and caregivers can increase the whole family's comfort and skill in conversation, making these discussions part of their family culture.   Richland Library is always here to help with the best books and resources-- whether you're just starting to talk about race or you're ready to deepen your family's knowledge and understanding so that you can take action.  
Blog
Richland Library Main

Cover to Cover - March: Book One

  • Emily Stoll
  • Friday, September 03

Diving into "March: Book One," written by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin and illustrated by Nate Powell.

Charlotte the Scientist Finds a Cure
Charlotte the Scientist is Squished
List

Scientists Real and Imagined

  • Caitlin B.
  • Tuesday, August 17
Scientists have been learning about the world for hundreds of years. If you like to ask the questions “why?” and “how?” you’ll find the lives and stories of these scientists enthralling! Here are some great picture books and biographies of scientists--both real and imagined. 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 Northeast

Buttermilk Pecan Ricotta Pancakes

  • Caroline B.
  • Thursday, September 02

Ricotta cheese and beaten egg whites create a light, fluffy batter that will make you crave breakfast anytime.

Our buttermilk pecan ricotta pancakes combines the flavors of vanilla, nutmeg and lemon to create a delicious breakfast that tastes as good as it looks.

Flying Lessons & Other Stories
Flying Lessons & Other Stories
List

Back to School for Middle Grade Readers

  • Taelor J.
  • Tuesday, August 10
Starting back to school for all students can cause a mix of emotions from excited to nervous. But entering or starting back to Middle School can be down right scary! This list of books for middle grade readers may be able to help ease fears about surviving middle school with some relatable experiences about homework, the school cafeteria, bullies, crushes and more.
Blog
Richland Library Edgewood

Dinner Table Talks: The Crossover

  • Taelor J.
    Heather M.
    Jocelyn T.
  • Saturday, August 07

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.