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.
Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard
reviewed by Keilah, age 11
This book is about a bookmender named Sophie Quire who is instructed to protect the Book of Who. The Book tells Sophie that she is the last storyguard and the protector of the 4 questions (who, what, where, when). Whoever has all the Books will have absolute power. With the help of Peter Nimble and his companion Sir Tode, they set off to find the other Books. By finding these Books she also discovers her mother, Coriander Quire's, killer. I like this book because it is full of mystery and adventure. It teaches us to have courage especially when our friends need us. For example, Peter saved Sir Tode's life by revealing his fantastic eyes beneath the blindfold at the risk of having them removed. Sophie's bravery saved the world from destruction. This book is definitely interesting and worth your time.
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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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Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley's Journal
reviewed by Diljaan, age 10
This book is about Greg Heffley, a boy who is in middle school. Greg's best friend is Rowley. The two are sharing a school full with people who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. I like this book because it is very entertaining. Greg has to face his old pal Karan Gupta. He is currently playing a joke on Karan by saying he is still in India and acting like he is invisible. Another thing I like about this book is the "cheese touch". In Greg's school everyone is scared of it!
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Haunted Canada 5
reviewed by Diljaan, age 11
This book is about true terrifying stories from across Canada. Some are about the Crisis Appartion in Nova Scotia, another titled "sentenced to hang" in Victoria, British Columbia. All of these supernatural tales definitely keep me up at night. I like this book because some of these tales talk about very old Canadian history. And when I say old I'm talking Residential school old. And I find that Canadian history can be quite fascinating, and this book puts the cherry on top by adding a slightly spooky touch.
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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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Hurry Up Houdini!
reviewed by Aaron, age 10
This book is about two kids, Jack and Annie. They own a magic tree house that could go anywhere. This time, they travel to Coney Island to watch a show of the great Houdini, the master magician of escape! Instead of watching the show, Jack and Annie are asked to perform magic. They perform hat tricks and card tricks. Houdini performs tricks with cuffs and ropes. Once the show was over, Houdini seemed to have disappeared. That's why they call Houdini "the master of escape". I like this book because it shows a lot of imagination by Jack and Annie's ideas. They performed their magic by inhaling a magic mist. That wouldn't exist in real life, however, it still explained a lot about it.
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Lions
reviewed by Brielle, age 7
This book is about what lions are like, how they catch their prey and what's the difference between a male and female lion. I like this book because it got me very interested. The reason why I got interested was because it explained so many things. Also as I was reading I was like "Ohh I wonder what happens next" , I guess this is the end!
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Bad Hair Day
reviewed by Alia, age 7
Abby and Jonah have a magic mirror in their basement. One night Abby and Jonah sneak down to the basement and knock on the mirror three times. A purple swirl appears and sucks them inside and takes them to a fairy tale. I like this book because the magic mirror is magical, and takes people to fairy tales, and I like fairy tales because they make me think about being in a magical land and meeting new superheroes, princesses, talking glasses, monsters and penguins.
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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
reviewed by Kylie, age 9
Harry Potter found out about a chamber of secrets and did lots of researching about it & what deadly animals lives in it. I like this book because J.K. Rowling put a lot of details in it and once I start reading it I can't stop!
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True or False?
reviewed by Sherry, age 12
Do you think tomatoes are fruits? Does a black hole suck up everything near it? Can eating dark chocolate protect against diseases? There are so many big questions out there, but many of the most outrageous answers to them are revealed in this book, full of realistic photos, fun facts sidebars, and even unanswered questions for readers to solve. After reading this book I knew so much more than before. You can learn so much about the human body, nature, science, technology, space, Earth, history, and cultures. It's a great way to learn stuff while taking a break from screens. That's why I highly recommend this book to you. And by the way, a screen saver does not reduce electricity supply.
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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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