If you're a history- and vegetable-lover who DOES NOT suffer from coulrophobia, then we have a program for you! If you do suffer from a fear of clowns, then we *might* have a program for you. The choice is yours; consider yourself warned. Join the Children's Literature Research Collection for an in-depth discussion… continue reading Will This Make Me Eat My Vegetables?
By written by Chris B. May 30, 2024
The exhibition Into the Night features two paintings by N. C. Wyeth, The Admiral's Ghost and Snow-Drop . The first's title is somewhat explanatory ( It's a ghost! ), but the second is more confusing. Who or what is Snow-Drop? There's a good chance that you already know the answer — just under a different… continue reading Snow-Drop: A Märchen, a Mouse, and a Mystery
By written by Chris B. April 2, 2024
For the last year, the shared offices of the Children's Literature Research Collection and the Map Collection have had a consistent litmus test for visitors. When a new visitor enters (either a researcher or a staff member), almost everyone has said one of two things: 1. What are those? 2. You have The Letter People! I share a kinship… continue reading Spotlight: The Letter People
By written by Chris B. January 8, 2024
In 1973, author Lloyd Alexander (1924-2007) wrote The Cat Who Wished to Be a Man , a comical fantasy novel about a housecat who is magically transformed by his wizard-owner into a human. The story is everything you'd expect from Lloyd Alexander: it's funny, sweet, a little cheeky, and features a cat. Lloyd Alexander… continue reading The Human Who Was Amazed by "The Cat Who Wished to Be a Man"
By written by Chris B. May 31, 2023
The Free Library of Philadelphia has some wonderful resources for people researching the history of children's literature in America. With just a library card , several databases are available to help you learn more about the creators of your favorite children's books. Something About the Author is a biographical examination… continue reading Profiles in Literature
By written by Chris B. April 25, 2023
From May 2nd to May 8th, the country will be celebrating Children's Book Week , an annual celebration that promotes the joy of reading to children and young people. The event began a little over 100 years ago when Franklin K. Matthiews, the librarian of the Boy Scouts of America began a mission to promote higher standards in children's… continue reading Children's Book Week & the Free Library
By written by Chris B. May 3, 2022
Just in time for spring cleaning, N. C. Wyeth's The Old Woman Tost Up in a Basket is back on display in Up Above: Thinking About the Skies in Parkway Central Library. Creating and researching an exhibition is always an enjoyable and engaging experience, but the information we provide in our exhibition labels has to be brief. Most… continue reading Up Above: Thinking about the "Little Old Lady Tost Up in a Basket"
By written by Chris B. April 19, 2022 2
Updated Wednesday, December 15, 2021 4:20 p.m. One of the most popular attractions of the Free Library's Rare Book Department is Grip the Raven, the late lamented pet of author Charles Dickens. A few years ago, we shared Grip's story on this blog. Now younger readers will have the chance to learn more thanks to author Marilyn Singer and… continue reading Grip: A Poem, Book, and Raven
By written by Chris B. December 3, 2021
It's Primary Election Day in Philadelphia! If you've signed up in Pennsylvania to vote by mail , you should have already received your ballot with its easy-to-follow instructions, enclosure envelope, and mailing envelope. The only thing not included was your "I voted" sticker. That's okay—the Special Collections… continue reading "I Voted" Stickers from Our Special Collections
By written by Chris B. June 2, 2020
Preservation Week is an annual celebration that began in 2012 with the American Library Association and is celebrated in libraries, museums, and households around the country. The theme for this year is Preserving Oral Histories , and it's a fantastic reminder to examine your own family's heritage through objects and personal items that… continue reading Celebrate Preservation Week at the Free Library!
By written by Chris B. April 27, 2020
While everyone is stuck at home, boredom may already be setting in. One way to alleviate boredom is to read or reread a book series (the more volumes, the better!). If you don't have a full series at home, check out the Free Library's Digital Media page. There are a lot of great ways to access your favorite stories from this page,… continue reading Middle Schoolers + Epically Long Series = Match!
By written by Chris B. April 16, 2020
Do you remember that scene at the beginning of Tangled where Rapunzel completes a day's worth of tasks before breakfast? Yeah, that's a lot less funny now. But if the school assignments are done and your Netflix queue is getting dangerously short, it's time to take a break from your normal routine, pull out all the… continue reading #ColorOurCollections: Creating Art with the Free Library's Digital Archive
By written by Chris B. April 8, 2020 4
Tomie dePaola (1934 - 2020) knew how to tell a story. In person, he could keep you spellbound with his stories. His eyes would twinkle and he knew just the right moment to pause and let a joke or a witty observation hit and leave you laughing. Over the past fifty years, his books have been equally brilliant, providing readers… continue reading Remembering Tomie DePaola (1934 - 2020)
By written by Chris B. March 31, 2020 1
With the current quarantine for Covid-19 affecting Pennsylvania, many parents are looking for fun, educational activities for their children. One activity worth exploring is window birding . Due to the seasonal change, birds around the world are in the process of migrating. This is an activity that can be practiced by anyone in the family, but… continue reading Window Birding
By written by Chris B. March 30, 2020
Our Five Senses , an ongoing exhibition in Parkway Central Library 's Dietrich Gallery opened earlier this year, and over the past few months, we've had the honor of sitting down with some of the authors and illustrators who appear in the show. We’re departing from that format slightly to sit down with Megan MacCall, curator of… continue reading Our Five Senses | Sampling History: The Whiskeys of Pennsylvania
By written by Chris B. September 26, 2019 2
Part of the excitement of creating the exhibition Our Five Senses was having the opportunity to curate a show featuring living authors and illustrators. These artists can be found throughout the Free Library of Philadelphia's Special Collections . Illustrator Angela Dominguez is a well-known illustrator of children's… continue reading Our Five Senses | A Conversation with Author and Illustrator Angela Dominguez
By written by Chris B. September 19, 2019
Our Five Senses , a new exhibition in Parkway Central Library 's Dietrich Gallery opened earlier this year, and we had the honor of sitting down with some of the authors and illustrators who appear in the show. This month, we discuss the biography Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille with its author, Jennifer Bryant . … continue reading Our Five Senses - A Conversation with Author Jen Bryant
By written by Chris B. August 19, 2019
Our Five Senses , a new exhibition in Parkway Central Library's Dietrich Gallery opened last month, and we have the honor of sitting down with some of the authors and illustrators who appear in the show. This month, we'll discuss the artist book Dinner Table with its creator, Eriko Takahashi. Eriko, Dinner… continue reading Our Five Senses - A Conversation with Book Artist Eriko Takahashi
By written by Chris B. June 14, 2019 1
In preparation for the opening of Our Five Senses , a new exhibition running now through November 2 in Parkway Central Library's Dietrich Gallery , we've had the honor of sitting down with some of the authors and illustrators who appear in the show. It seems fitting to start the converstaion with Aliki Brandenberg , the inspiration… continue reading Our Five Senses | A Conversation with Author and Illustrator Aliki
By written by Chris B. May 14, 2019
On May 13, the Free Library's Special Collections Division will present Our Five Senses , the first family friendly, fully-interactive exhibition at the Free Library. The exhibition connects the science of the senses with the mind and the literary experience. Unique materials in the exhibition cross three centuries of human discovery. … continue reading Our Five Senses | A New Family Friendly, Fully-Interactive Exhibition
By written by Chris B. April 29, 2019 5
