The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Rare Book Department has on display an exhibition of original drawings and published works of Robert Lawson.  The Department has a large… continue reading

By Caitlin G.   February 28, 2013    2

Katherine Milhous (1894-1977) and Frances Lichten (1889-1961) were life partners and artistic collaborators who shared several passions: creating vibrant artwork for children and adults,… continue reading

By Lindsay F.   June 25, 2012    3

How do you write a children’s book about political corruption? It becomes quite simple when the real life story features a rhinoceros. Little Una by Elizabeth Olds is about a rhino that… continue reading

By Lindsay F.   May 7, 2012   

As archivists at the Children’s Literature Research Collection, it’s not surprising that most of the materials we work with are children’s book materials: drafts of manuscripts,… continue reading

By Caitlin G.   April 17, 2012    1

Scott O’Dell once summed up being an author in three simple words: “Writing is hard.” As a writer of children’s historical fiction, he excelled in creating his own story… continue reading

By Adrienne P.   March 19, 2012    5

Hi! I’m Garrett Boos, the most recent archivist to join the “Milestones in 20th Century American Children’s Literature” project at the Free Library of Philadelphia. My… continue reading

By Caitlin G.   March 6, 2012   

We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the classic Life Story by Virginia Lee Burton. First published in 1962, this wonderful book tells the tale of life on Earth from the beginning to the… continue reading

By Adrienne P.   January 10, 2012   

With 2011 coming to an end, we want to recognize the 75 th anniversary of one of our favorite children’s books: Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson’s The Story of Ferdinand. Published by… continue reading

By Caitlin G.   December 16, 2011    4

 It’s the most wonderful time of the year . . . the time when we get to show off all of the beautiful artists’ Christmas and New Year’s cards in the children’s… continue reading

By Caitlin G.   November 29, 2011    2

Recently, I began processing the papers of children’s book author and illustrator Munro Leaf. Having already processed the Frederick R. Gardner collection of Robert Lawson, it was a perfect… continue reading

By Caitlin G.   October 14, 2011    18

Children’s illustrator Carolyn Haywood was a lifelong Philadelphian who generously donated her extensive collection of book manuscripts, illustrations, and personal papers to the Free… continue reading

By Adrienne P.   September 12, 2011   

Carolyn Haywood once described herself as “grand student of Howard Pyle.” Haywood was heavily influenced by several of Pyle’s students: Jessie Willcox Smith (1863-1935),… continue reading

By Administrator   August 10, 2011    2

For those of you not familiar with Carolyn Haywood’s books (and who didn’t read last week’s blog post ), imagine stereotypical 1950s children’s literature: safe plots,… continue reading

By Adrienne P.   June 28, 2011    1

Carolyn Haywood created a comfortable, reassuring world for young children, where the greatest dilemma any character faces is the sudden disappearance of a coveted tea set from the toy store… continue reading

By Adrienne P.   June 21, 2011   

We are excited to present a new exhibit featuring Robert Lawson’s original illustrations for Mr. Popper’s Penguins , on display on the ground floor of the Parkway Central Library,… continue reading

By Caitlin G.   June 15, 2011    1

You might already know that the Children’s Literature Research Collection archivists are a little nutty about Tomi Ungerer . Ever since we processed his papers last year, it seems like… continue reading

By Caitlin G.   June 8, 2011   

The Rare Book Department at the Free Library is lucky to own the papers of children’s book author and illustrator Robert Lawson, donated by the rare book dealer and collector Frederick R.… continue reading

By Caitlin G.   May 31, 2011   

Carolyn Haywood was a children’s book author and illustrator, many of whose original works we are proud to hold in the Children’s Literature Research Collection. Her books have… continue reading

By Adrienne P.   May 9, 2011    1

Happy 100th Birthday, Evaline Ness! Born on April 24, 1911, Ness was an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books whose glamorous life would translate well to the silver… continue reading

By Adrienne P.   April 21, 2011   

The Children’s Literature Research Collection is pleased to announce a new exhibit featuring the papers of celebrated children’s author Lloyd Alexander . It is now on display on the… continue reading

By Caitlin G.   April 12, 2011