From Our Blogs

Book and activity ideas for all ages.

  • 2023 Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award Winner!

    We are excited to announce that the winner of the 2023 Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award is “I’m Terrified of Bath Time” by Simon Rich and illustrated by Tom Toro. Nearly 13,000 Missouri children voted, and 2,318 kiddos voted for the winning title. Extra Shoutout We would like to give an honorable mention to … Read more

  • Reader Review: The Bonesetter’s Daughter

    Amy Tan explores the relationship between mothers and daughters in this compelling story. “The Bonesetter’s Daughter” follows Ruth Young as she struggles to care for her mother, LuLing, when she is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Ruth’s relationship with her partner, Art, also undergoes challenges and rethinking as Ruth cares for her mother. Ruth finds two … Read more

  • Reader Review: Churchill: Walking with Destiny

    “Churchill: Walking with Destiny” is the most recent and perhaps the finest single-volume biography of Winston Churchill. Readers should not be daunted by the length of the book (982 pages) — it is detailed and thorough yet eminently readable and engrossing. Roberts covers Churchill’s remarkable life chronologically to support his central thesis that Churchill, throughout … Read more

  • April First Thursday Book Discussion: Weyward

    The award-winning debut novel, “Weyward,” by Emilia Hart will be the subject of the First Thursday Book Discussion on April 4 at the Columbia Public Library. Filled with vivid descriptions of English landscapes, Hart’s novel follows three women living between the 1600s and the 20th century. The protagonists face challenges that are both oddly conventional … Read more

  • Collectors and Their Collections

    You are of an age to be collecting things, I know this because you are of an age to be reading this blog. And if this happens to be the first thing you’ve ever read, congratulations! There will be many more words to collect in your future. My collecting of things started, and you awarded … Read more

  • New DVD List: March 2024

    Here is a new DVD list highlighting various titles recently added to the library’s collection. “Planet Earth III” – Miniseries – Website / Reviews  Completing the Planet Earth trilogy, this documentary series follows the world’s most amazing animals, telling stories that are dramatic, thrilling, funny and sometimes heart-breaking, but always full of hope. “The Three … Read more

  • Hobby Farm Dreaming

    Has anyone else been dreaming of a hobby farm? No? Just me? I would say that it’s a fever dream, but I have no fever. I have to admit that this is not a new dream for me. I have been having this dream for a long, long time now. I have always loved animals … Read more

  • Language Learning Resources for Kids and Families

    When I’m not answering questions and handing out stickers at the Children’s Services Desk, I moonlight as an ESL (English as a second language) instructor at the University of Missouri. So it will come as no surprise that I love to help library kids and their families on their language learning journeys! When I chat … Read more

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