kids

Local author Kiyoko Hairston reads her debut children’s book, “Freeda's Fabnificent Feet.” Hairston does readings of the book at schools and libraries in the Athens area. (Submitted Photo)

Local author Kiyoko Hairston reads her debut children’s book, “Freeda's Fabnificent Feet.” Hairston does readings of the book at schools and libraries in the Athens area. (Submitted Photo)

Local author turns insecurity into her first children’s book

Makenna Reavis
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
When Kiyoko Hairston was growing up, she got used to siblings, kids and adults making comments about her large feet.  She often had to cram her feet into smaller shoes or was frustrated by a less-than-ideal selection of children’s shoes in her size.
Beth Akins and Eliza O’Tuel, 2, shape Play-Doh during storytime at the Oglethorpe County Library on April 9. Akins started working as the library’s new children’s program specialist earlier this month. (Photo/Julianna Duennes Russ)

Beth Akins and Eliza O’Tuel, 2, shape Play-Doh during storytime at the Oglethorpe County Library on April 9. Akins started working as the library’s new children’s program specialist earlier this month. (Photo/Julianna Duennes Russ)

New beginnings: Ratcliffe leaves as Akins starts job

Leighton Dancy and Julianna Duennes Russ
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Oglethorpe County Library’s four-person staff is in flux. As Beth Akins begins her job as children’s program specialist at the Oglethorpe County Library, current branch manager Katherine Ratcliffe is moving on to become branch manager at the Bogart Library.
Jessica Ellis (left), who works at the Oglethorpe County Library, and Emma Hernandez (right) chat while Hernandez builds the beginning stages of a treehouse. The library hosts the Lego Club once a month. (RAMON ELORTONDO/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Jessica Ellis (left), who works at the Oglethorpe County Library, and Emma Hernandez (right) chat while Hernandez builds the beginning stages of a treehouse. The library hosts the Lego Club once a month. (RAMON ELORTONDO/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Lego Club allows children to build, imagine at monthly meeting

Ramon Elortondo
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Emma Hernandez, a young member of the Oglethorpe County Lego Club, carefully places a trap door Lego piece down on a bright green foundation square. She was in the beginning stages for what would eventually become a “big ol’ tree house.” “I love building secret rooms,” Hernandez said.