Children

Children's Events

This event is in the "Birth to Preschool" group

Toddler Storytime

9:15am–10:00am
Birth to Preschool
Anderson Main Library
Library Branch: Anderson Main Library
Room: Ronder Thomas Young Children’s Room
Age Group: Birth to Preschool
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Hear new and classic books and stories followed by interactive play great for practicing early literacy skills perfect for children ages 18 months to 3 years old and their adult caregiver.

This event is in the "Birth to Preschool" group
This event is in the "Children" group

Family Storytime

10:30am–11:00am
Birth to Preschool, Children
Jennie Erwin (Honea Path) Library
Library Branch: Jennie Erwin (Honea Path) Library
Room: Children's Area
Age Group: Birth to Preschool, Children
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Enjoy songs, stories, and rhymes perfect for practicing early literacy skills. For ages birth to 5 years old and their caregivers.

This event is in the "Birth to Preschool" group

Toddler Storytime

10:30am–11:00am
Birth to Preschool
Anderson Main Library
Library Branch: Anderson Main Library
Room: Ronder Thomas Young Children’s Room
Age Group: Birth to Preschool
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Hear new and classic books and stories followed by interactive play great for practicing early literacy skills perfect for children ages 18 months to 3 years old and their adult caregivers.

 

This event is in the "Birth to Preschool" group

Family Storytime

10:30am–11:30am
Birth to Preschool
Powdersville Library
Library Branch: Powdersville Library
Room: Cely Room
Age Group: Birth to Preschool
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Enjoy stories, songs, and fingerplays perfect for children ages birth to 5 years old.

This event is in the "Children" group

LEGO Club

4:00pm–5:00pm
Children
Pendleton Library
Library Branch: Pendleton Library
Room: Children’s Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: STEM
Event Details:

Create, build and express your creativity with LEGOs. LEGO Club meets every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at the Pendleton Library. 

Want an event reminder? Click the clock button above to receive notifications.

This event is in the "Birth to Preschool" group

Family Storytime

10:30am–11:30am
Birth to Preschool
Anderson Main Library
Library Branch: Anderson Main Library
Room: Ronder Thomas Young Children’s Room
Age Group: Birth to Preschool
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Enjoy stories, songs, and fingerplays perfect for children ages birth to 5 years and their adult caregivers in this family storytime.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten: Read books, earn rewards!

Read books, earn rewards!

Join our free program and start your child's journey to Kindergarten readiness. Ask our staff for your starter kit today.

The concept is simple, the rewards are priceless. Read a book (any book) to your newborn, infant, and/or toddler. The goal is to have read 1,000 books (yes, you can repeat books) before your precious one starts kindergarten. 

Track your progress, earn prizes, and have fun! To learn more, you can:

Featured Services

Kids Programs

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Something for everyone. Attend engaging programs for kids on a wide variety of topics. Visit our calendar of events to see what's happening in your local library.

Learn More

Storytimes

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Enjoy stories, songs, and rhymes perfect for practicing early literacy skills. Registration is required for most storytimes. Contact your local library to register.

Learn More

LEAP Station Youth Equipment

Featured Youth Resources

StudySC

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Know where you live! Includes links to SC related topics, multimedia, primary documents, and more.

View Resource

Tutor.com

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Real-Time Tutoring: 24 hours a day, seven days a week for English and Spanish speakers. Connect with a tutor on a variety of subjects, test prep assistance, or parent coaching. An account is not necessary to use this service.

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Seasonal Holidays

Image for "Little Frog and the Scary Autumn Thing"

Little Frog and the Scary Autumn Thing

"Rich colors underscore the intensity of Little Frog's feelings...a low-key way of introducing the idea of change, in nature or otherwise." - KIRKUS REVIEWS

Most things that are scary are just new...

Little Frog and the Scary Autumn Thing helps families embrace the new and unknown through the story of one little frog learning that change doesn't have to be frightening--especially when families face it together!

It's Little Frog's first autumn, and she doesn't like it one bit. It is not the green world she loves so much, but something scarier and ominous, filled with red and gold and yellow. And noise! WHIRRRRR. CHIRRRR. BAROOOOOOM. But encouraged by her Mama, who reminds her that "Most things that are scary are just new," Little Frog bravely sets out into this world. When her courage waivers, she starts to run and soon is lost, miserably lost. She finds her way to Papa Frog, and he shows her what Mama Frog means.

In a warm and satisfying ending:

At last, arm in arm, 
Little Frog and Papa Frog
happily hopped and danced
all the way home to The Pond
where Mama Frog had made
a fresh shoo-fly pie for dinner, 
something all three of them knew well.

This charmer of a story is by multi-award winning author Jane Yolen, author of Owl Moon and the How Do Dinosaurs...? books. The wonderful autumn palette and adorable pictures are by newcomer Ellen Shi, who is not afraid of trying something new herself.

About the LITTLE FROG Series

Fear comes in many shapes and sizes.

Seasons change.

Families change.

And change can be a scary thing for a little mind exploring the complicated emotions of facing the unknown. With gentle sweetness, Little Frog makes them laugh and breathe a sigh of relief through life's natural cycles. Little Frog shows young children they can muster up courage in the face of all things strange and new.

With a little love, patience, and acceptance, big fears can be turned into bigger discoveries.

Praise for LITTLE FROG

"Vivid autumn foliage is generally considered to be a thing of beauty, but those unfamiliar colors spell danger to a young frog. Yolen doesn't rush Little Frog's emotional turnaround. Shi's inviting mixed-media landscapes make it clear that the amphibian is never in danger...reasoned reactions to her own nervousness hint at ways readers might tackle their own fears." -- PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY

 

Image for "¡A recoger manzanas! (Apple Picking Day! Spanish Edition)"

¡A recoger manzanas! (Apple Picking Day! Spanish Edition)

Celebra el otoño con este divertido álbum ilustrado en español lleno de manzanas. ¡Es perfecto para pequeños que comienzan a leer solos!

Traducción de Juan Vicario. 

Una hermana y un hermano le dan la bienvenida al otoño con una actividad clásica: ¡recogiendo manzanas! Pasean alegremente por un huerto de manzanas, y se apuran para escoger las mejores antes que otros niños se las ganen. La historia de este divertido día está llena de acción. Sus versos con rima son fáciles de entender, lo que asegura una experiencia de lectura exitosa. Este libro es perfecto para el otoño, y para leer en clase o antes de dormir.

LEYENDO A PASOS es una línea de Step into Reading que ofrece ediciones en español de libros nivelados. Los libros Paso 1 tienen letra grande y palabras fáciles. Son ideales para niños que conocen el abecedario y que quieren comenzar a leer. Su ritmo, rima y pistas visuales contribuyen a la comprensión del texto.

Celebrate fall with this Spanish-language Step 1 reader filled with apples!

A sister and brother welcome fall with a classic activity--apple picking! They bound with glee through the apple orchard, and race against other children to pick the most and the best apples. The story of their day is fun and full of light action. It's told in easy-to-follow rhyme, ensuring a successful reading experience. This Spanish edition of Apple Picking Day!, by the author of Pumpkin Day!, is ripe for early fall and classroom or bedtime sharing.

Step 1 Readers feature big type and easy words for children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading. Rhyme and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story. LEYENDO A PASOS is a Spanish-language line of Step into Reading.

Image for "Call Me Roberto!"

Call Me Roberto!

A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
ALSC Notable Children's Book
A BCCB Blue Ribbon
Horn Book Fanfare 2024
2025 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Book Winner
NPR’s Books We Love List 2024
New York Public Library Best Book 2024
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2024
Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids 2024
Included on the 2025 ALSC Día Reading List

Here is the inspirational story of Major League Baseball player Roberto Clemente—not Bob—who endured years of racism and discrimination to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

School Library Journal, starred review
★ The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review
★ Publishers Weekly, starred review
The Horn Book, starred review

Roberto Clemente always loved baseball. Growing up in Carolina, Puerto Rico, he swung tree branches (since he didn’t have a bat) and hit tin cans. He was always batting, pitching, running, sliding. His dedication paid off when, at the age of 19, he was tapped for a major league team. First stop: chilly Montreal . . . where he warmed the bench and himself, longing to play baseball. Months later, he finally got his chance with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clemente had an instant impact on the field—hitting the ball and making it to first base and finally home. Many Pittsburgh fans loved his bold style on the field, but not everyone was quick to embrace a Black man from Puerto Rico who spoke español.

This nonfiction picture book by MLB.com journalist Nathalie Alonso and award-winning illustrator Rudy Gutierrez shows the emotional highs and lows of Roberto Clemente’s career as he fought racism—from fans, reporters, and other figures in the sport—to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time. With English and Spanish words intermingled in the text, this book will inspire young readers as they learn about Clemente’s contributions to Black, Latino, and American history.

Neurodivergent and Differently Abled

Image for "I Talk Like a River"

I Talk Like a River

Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award
Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Winner

What if words got stuck in the back of your mouth whenever you tried to speak? What if they never came out the way you wanted them to?

Sometimes it takes a change of perspective to get the words flowing.

A New York Times Best Children's Book of the Year

I wake up each morning with the sounds of words all around me. 

And I can't say them all . . . 

When a boy who stutters feels isolated, alone, and incapable of communicating in the way he'd like, it takes a kindly father and a walk by the river to help him find his voice. Compassionate parents everywhere will instantly recognize a father's ability to reconnect a child with the world around him.

Poet Jordan Scott writes movingly in this powerful and ultimately uplifting book, based on his own experience, and masterfully illustrated by Sydney Smith, winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest international distinction given to author and illustrators of children's books. A book for any child who feels lost, lonely, or unable to fit in.

Finalist for the BC and Yukon Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize
A Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book
An American Library Association Notable Children’s Book
ILA Primary Fiction Honoree
Named a Best Book of the Year by The Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, NPR, Kirkus Reviews, Shelf Awareness, Bookpage, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Publishers Lunch, and more!
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of the Year
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
A Bank Street Best Childrens Book of the Year!
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year
A CBC Best Picture Book of the Year
A Kids' Book Choice Award Finalist

Image for "Dancing Hands"

Dancing Hands

A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book

An Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Honor Winner

Read the world to change the world! This artful picture book about friendship and sign language, originally published in the Philippines in concert with nonprofit Room to Read, is beautifully revised for this global edition. 



Our new neighbors' hands are dancing. Their hands move as if to music. What are they saying to each other?



Sam's new neighbors' hands make graceful movements she doesn't recognize, and she wonders what they are saying. Soon she meets her new neighbor, Mai, who teaches Sam some Filipino Sign Language. Along the way, they both discover the joys of making a new friend, a best friend.



This sweet and perceptive picture book by authors Joanna Que and Charina Marquez tells the story of two girls as they learn to communicate with each other. With playful illustrations that celebrate the beautiful movements of sign language, back matter discussing sign languages around the world, and endpapers teaching all the signs used in the book, Dancing Hands conveys the shy and fumbling experience of making friends and overcoming language barriers.



SIGN LANGUAGE IN A STORY: One of the only children's books about sign language that is not centered on instruction, this beautifully illustrated friendship story is the perfect way to introduce kids to topics around deafness, hearing or speech impairment, and global sign languages. 



PROMOTES EMPATHY: As readers follow Mai and Sam's blossoming friendship, they will be encouraged to be open to new experiences. This thoughtful book emphasizes the importance of trying to understand each person we encounter and the beautiful connections we can form when we overcome perceived barriers. 



EDUCATIONAL EXTRAS: The book includes additional content that speaks to the history of Filipino and American sign languages, as well as sign languages around the world.



CHARITABLE SUPPORT WITH EVERY PURCHASE: Buying this book benefits children in Room to Read's global Literacy Program. Room to Read has supported publishing training and opportunities for children's book creators from around the world since 2003. The Read the World, Change the World partnership with Chronicle Books brings these international voices to English language readers. Learn more at www.roomtoread.org.





Perfect for:

  • A book for Deaf children and families who speak sign language
  • Gift or self-purchase for anyone interested in picture books that center Deaf characters
  • Storytime or classroom resource for teachers and librarians looking for books about disability, new friendships, sign language, or the Philippines
  • AAPI audiences and Tagalog speakers
  • Fans of Room to Read, non-profit book initiatives, and global children's literature
Image for "Mighty Inside"

Mighty Inside

Golden Kite Award Finalist

Washington State Book Award Winner

Junior Library Guild Gold Standard

Notable Social Studies Reading List

CCBC Choices



Melvin Robinson wants a strong, smooth, He-Man voice that lets him say what he wants, when he wants--especially to his crush Millie Takazawa, and Gary Ratliff, who constantly puts him down. But the thought of starting high school is only making his stutter worse.



And Melvin's growing awareness that racism is everywhere--not just in the South where a boy his age has been brutally killed by two white men, but also in his own hometown of Spokane--is making him realize that he can't mutely stand by.



His new friend Lenny, a fast-talking, sax-playing Jewish boy, who lives above the town's infamous (and segregated) Harlem Club, encourages Melvin to take some risks--to invite Millie to Homecoming and even audition for a local TV variety show. When they play music together, Melvin almost feels like he's talking, no words required. But there are times when one needs to speak up.



When his moment comes, can Melvin be as mighty on the outside as he actually is on the inside?



P R A I S E



★ "This powerful novel weaves strong characters into the tapestry of civil rights, treatment of people with disabilities, fallout fear from the war, and ever-changing cultural shifts that defined the 1950s."

--School Library Journal (starred)



★ "A well-constructed and movingly told story of a thoughtful Black boy making his place in his family and in 1950s America."

--Publishers Weekly (starred)



"A gentle historical novel about finding your voice."

--Kirkus



"Sundee Frazier once again flexes her masterful expertise in understanding the human heart, and the insurmountable will and capacity we have to press forward and persevere triumphantly."

--Kirkus Prize-winner Derrick Barnes



"One of those rare books I found myself reading more slowly as I got to the final pages. I didn't want it to end."

--Newbery Award-winner Christopher Paul Curtis

Caldecott Award

Caldecott Award

Given each year to the best illustrator of a story.

Newbery Medal

Newbery Medal

Given each year to the best author of the written text of a book.

Coretta Scott King Awards

Coretta Scott King Awards

Given each year to the best African-American author and illustrator of children’s books.

South Carolina Book Awards

South Carolina Book Awards

Books chosen each year by South Carolina schoolchildren in four categories: Picture Book, Children’s, Junior, and Young Adult.

Children’s Library FAQs

You don't need a card to attend events, but you do to check out books! Cards are free and give you access to many things outside of our book collection, so you should sign up at the circulation desk to get your own!

There is no minimum age!

20 books per card

We sure can! Please check with any of our youth staff and we will be happy to assist! 

Sure!  Events are all listed in our print Events guide - pick one up in any library location, and 24/7 on our library homepage!  Just click on "Events" at the top of the page.  You can even search events by a keyword in the search box and/or limit your search to a specific age group or branch. 

Most of our events do require registration to ensure adequate space and materials for everyone; the print Event guide (available at the Children's service desk) and the event calendar (located on our webpage) will give you more details on how to register. You can always call us at 864-260-4500 extension 158 with questions or assistance in registering for events. 

Events hosted at the library are free for everyone! 

Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult, but don't worry! We have internet computers available for parents and children in the Children's area. We also have black-and-white printing available for $0.10 a page. Color and wireless printing is available on the second floor. 

No reservation required!  Our study rooms are available on a first come, first served basis.  Just ask us at the service desk to unlock a room for you!

Yes!  We keep the doors locked for safety reasons, as our youngest friends sometimes like to explore and push them open.  Feel free to unlock the courtyard doors and enjoy!  You can ask for chalk and bean bags at the service desk!  Our courtyard closes 30 minutes before the library closes each day. Children 12 and younger must always be accompanied by an adult. 

While food is not allowed in the library, we do have a picnic table and benches as well as trash receptacles outside in our courtyard at the Main Library that you may use.