Let's Read
Summer Reading Finale 2017
Kids Place Staff Picks
Did You Know
A Special Place For Books
One of the easiest ways to show your child the importance of reading is to make a special place in your home to store your child's books.
Predictor of Reading Ability
Knowledge of alphabet letters at entry into kindergarten is a strong predictor of reading ability in 10th grade.
Incorporate Literacy During TV Time
Talk with your child about their show.
Preparing for Reading
Singing and rhyming increases children's awareness of and sensitivity to the sounds in words. This helps prepare children to read.
How to Help Your Child Develop Literacy Skills?
You can help your child develop literacy skills during regular activities without adding extra time to your day. Talk to your child as you do everyday tasks such as sorting the laundry or thinking about what to cook for dinner.
Library Storytime
Library storytime is a parent's opportunity to learn some new songs, stories, and rhymes that you can share and repeat with your child at home.
Get a Library Card!
Ask us to help sign your child up for a library card!
Get a RPL library card today!
Did you know? You don't have to live in Richmond to get a RPL card!
Improving Literacy Skills With Multiple Languages
Adults and children can improve their literacy skills by reading books in the family's first language and then reading the same book in English.
Read & Re-read
Read and reread books about topics your child is interested in.
Share Your Experiences with Your Child
Share what you read with your child. Read aloud a portion of the newspaper or a book you are reading. Share why reading is fun.
Storytelling
Storytelling encourages imaginative thinking and builds narrative skills. Gather your family members at meal times and have them tell the story of their day.
Nursery Rhymes
Research shows that knowing eight nursery rhymes by age four means better reading skills at age eight.
Be A Literary Role Model!
Set a great example by keeping books in your home and modeling good reading habits.
Be Visually Literate
Explain illustrations in books.
Storytime & Babytime
We have FREE storytime and babytime programs each week to encourage reading and literacy. We also have special events that help build literacy skills, including puppet shows, sing-alongs and more! Browse RPL's Event Calendar
Tumblebooks for Kids Check out RPL's Digital Collections
Have you tried out Tumblebooks kids e-book collection? The words of each story are highlighted as they are read out loud. Keep in mind that e-books, apps and online games are best for kids age 2 or older.
Home Message Board
Try a home message board to exchange notes.
Learning Tips for Babies
Children under the age of two learn best from real-world experiences and interactions – such as physical play, reading print books together or listening to music together.
Reluctant Readers
Boys are traditionally more reluctant readers. Magazines, sport cards, comics and others still count as reading.
Reading in Your First Language
Readign in your first language helps you learn English easier.
Build Vocabulary with Games
Board games and card games help build literacy by including words.
Reading is Bonding
Reading to Children is a bonding and nurturing experience.
Learning New Words
Children learn new words through nursery rhymes.
Ask Questions
Interact with your child when they try new apps, ask questions and point out new things.
Incorporate Reading into Play
Incorporate reading an dwords into your child's playtime.
Read to Big Kids
Keep reading to your big kid to expand their vocabulary and book choices.
Let Your Child Turn the Pages
Let your cild turn the pages of the book so they understand how it works.
Read Early
Studies show that future success depends on early reading abilities.
Age Appropriate Books
Choose age appropriate books for your child's development level.
What Makes A Better Reader?
The more children read the better readers they become.
Introduction to English
Library storytimes are an excellent introduction to English.
Seasonal & Holidays Reads
Visit the library for books that go along with the seasons and special holidays.
Encourage Free Play
Play stimulates the healthy development of children’s brains. Unstructured or free play is the best type of play for young children.
What's At Your Library?
The library has thousands of great books, digital books, movies, games and music albums to choose from – there is something for everyone!
» Learn More About The Library Catalogue
Keeping Digital Screens Out of the Bedroom
There is a place and time for digital learning. It's not bedtime though. Keeping screens out of the bedroom can help your child have a better night’s sleep.
Limiting Screen Time
The Canadian Paediatric Association encourages parents to limit screen time. For children under age 2, the recommendation is zero screen time. For children age 2-4, try a limit of 1 hour per day.
Great Reads for Kids
Book Reviews by Richmond Kids
Looking for something good to read?
Check out what other Richmond kids are reading.
Check out what other Richmond kids are reading.
The Borrowers
reviewed by Naiyo, age 9
This book is about a family of little Borrowers who live under the floors of an old house in the country. When little Arrietty talks to a human boy, her parents worry that they might have to immigrate like all the other Borrower families who used to live alongside them. I like this book. This book is an interesting novel. It was neat to read about how the Borrowers used human things to create their houses, furniture and food. There is lots of suspense in this book that makes it hard to put down.
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Mercy Watson 6: Something Wonky This Way Comes
reviewed by Jack, age 6
This book is about the Watsons. Mercy spills the popcorn at the movies. The plot was intense.
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Skellig
reviewed by Aaron, age 10
This book is about a boy named Michael who finds an angel creature named Skellig who lives paralyzed. Michael meets a new friend at his new school whose name is Mina. Together they discover the secrets of Skellig, and at the same time, their lives change forever because they would like to help more people than before. I really enjoyed reading it's ending because it is really peaceful. I feel peaceful because Skellig flew off into the dark blue sky after the special meeting about the truth of his life is over. Before he left, he told the kids to remember about this special meeting even when he is not with them.
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The Mitten String
reviewed by Angelica , age 7
This book is about helping others and giving to others, also being kind. I like this book because it has so much detail and it's about giving to the people who are homeless and the ones who don't have the much money.
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The BFG
reviewed by Simone, age 7
This book is about a giant who captured a little girl named Sophie. The giant's name was the BFG. It means Big Friendly Giant. The BFG told Sophie lots of things about himself. At last they mix a dream of the Queen of London, have a royal breakfast and capture the giant. This book is good because it has lots of detail inside. It talks about how to capture a human or how you could mix a dream. It talks about plans of how to capture the nine bone crunching giants. At last they make a dream to tell the Queen of London about the nine giants going to London in the middle of the witching hour, eating little boys and girls for their supper. It is my favourite part. It is really amazing and great. When you read it you will like it really badly.
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Fahrenheit 451
reviewed by James, age 12
This book is about a future (but a not-too-distant one) where people are no longer interested in books, and firemen START fires to burn these illegal books. However, one fireman has thought over this idea slightly more than everyone else. I like this book because it shows how fragile our world is, and that if we're not careful enough, one of our most prized treasures will be forgotten forever. It shows that, despite all our modern technology, we must not forget what made people grow up into themselves: books. Books have shaped not just us, but the world.
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Frankie Pickle: The Mathematical Menace
reviewed by Adrienne, age 9
This book is about a boy named Frankie who is having trouble with his math quiz. He has to study for his math quiz, which leads him to many places in his imagination. I like this book because it is full of cool adventures. It is also very cool how when Frankie is in actual life, it is like a normal chapter book; when it's the adventure parts, the book becomes a comic.
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Safe As Houses
reviewed by Jelena, age 12
This book is about a babysitter that had to babysit 2 children but suddenly the rain poured so hard that it was the hurricane Hazel. It started to flood in the house and the children were screaming and crying and the babysitter couldn't call anyone because the electricity was out. I like this book because it is a very adventurous and astonishing book. It is full with wonder and hope. It made me feel like I was inside the book.
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Blizzard of the Blue Moon
reviewed by Simone, age 8
Two kids are on a freezing mission, followed by two evil teenagers, who are following Jack and Annie the two kids. Their mission is to free the unicorn, but the teenagers want to capture him. I like this book because it is magic and frightening, not like the other Magic Tree books that are just a mission. This one tells about a fighting war between the people, and I like magical war stories.
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Things to do
reviewed by Angelica, age 7
This book is about having lots of memories and lots of fun before you get old because you don't really have that much fun when you get old. I liked this book because it has so much detail and sometimes it makes you discover the new things in life.
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Characters We Love
Library Collection for Kids
Kids eBooks* OverDrive
Our eBooks for Kids' site has almost 1,000 chapter books and easy readers!
*available to Richmond residents only
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Kids eBooks Tumblebooks
Kindergarten Readiness
Baby & Preschool Theme Boxes
Kids Book Club Sets
Start your own Kids Book Club, and take home a 12-copy book club set – we have over 30 to choose from!
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Science Kits
Science kits are great for school aged children and they are very popular. Hurry, take one home today!
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