I have a confession to make about Little Women ... I first fell in love with the 1994 movie starring Winona Ryder and Susan Sarandon , as opposed to the book. The movie propelled me to read the… continue reading

By Alicia T.   July 13, 2017   

The Fourth of July is America's biggest holiday – there are parades, music, picnics, parties, AND fireworks! We are a nation of immigrants and on this day we all come together to… continue reading

By Monica C.   July 3, 2017   

We all know that the 4th of July is Independence Day and that there will be celebrations involving food, but how about celebrating Chocolate Day on July 7 – yum! – or National Ice… continue reading

By Sarah S.   July 3, 2017   

Before the Re-Read... To be honest, I can’t even remember what grade I was in when I first read this book. It was either third or fourth, a time at which I still was a non-reader. I read the… continue reading

By Mary W.   June 22, 2017   

Looking for a book that will help get kids moving? We have a good one for you! Our new selection for Picture Books Highlights – a series of posts where we put the spotlight on a brand-new… continue reading

By Monica C.   June 20, 2017   

We read all year long, but there’s just something about summer reads. There’s an excitement, a tingle, to determining your Summer Reading list (even if there’s not much… continue reading

By Julie B.   June 8, 2017    1

Did you know that the Free Library’s Summer of Wonder program just started up again? And that it is for all ages? Yes, even newborns can participate – with the help of their grownups,… continue reading

By Sarah S.   June 2, 2017   

Nine Free Library of Philadelphia locations are testing out a fun new take on an old classic! These new audio-enabled books from Vox Books are picture books combined with an audio recording of… continue reading

By Kate C.   May 16, 2017   

Reading a book can be a very tactile experience: holding the book in your hands or lap, turning the pages, feeling the paper, pouring over the art and text. With electronic readers, one can carry… continue reading

By Monica C.   May 9, 2017   

Once you take a break from all of the great reading suggestions during this year's Children's Book Week , May is also a great month to get outside and play! We have lots to celebrate this… continue reading

By Sarah S.   May 3, 2017   

“My child loves mysteries and solving riddles. What’s a good series?” Oh how I love this question. Mystery readers can be a difficult group to please. The books recommended have… continue reading

By Chris B.   May 1, 2017   

We all know Benjamin Franklin, Philadelphia's everyman. Poor Richard . Diplomat of the Revolution . Inventor of the Glass Harmonica . Postmaster General . Guy Who Flew A Kite in a… continue reading

By Caitlin G.   April 28, 2017   

Here at The Free Library of Philadelphia, we talk a lot about literacy. Literacy, as you may know, is all about learning to read and improving your reading skills. But there's another kind of… continue reading

By Teresa A.   April 19, 2017   

Farming in the city? Well, yes! And it is happening right here in Philadelphia: in community gardens, parks, backyards, and plots. There is Farm Philly , a program by Philadelphia’s Parks… continue reading

By Monica C.   April 18, 2017   

Katherine Milhous (1894-1977) wore many hats in her time: a supervisor for the Federal Art Project ; an artist for the Pennsylvania Art Project (a subsidiary of the Federal Art Project, which… continue reading

By Chris B.   April 7, 2017   

Happy April, everyone, whether you are an April Fool or not! April brings some fun holidays and celebrations, like Easter on April 16, Earth Day on April 22 – hey, you can never be too young… continue reading

By Sarah S.   April 5, 2017   

City living can be noisy. And sometimes, neighbors can keep you up at night. For our next Picture Book Highlights – a series of posts where we put the spotlight on a brand-new picture book… continue reading

By Monica C.   March 13, 2017   

by Jamie Bowers , Culinary Literacy Center and Julie Berger , Free Library Foundation Purim Is Coming! The Jewish holiday of Purim , celebrating the triumph of the Jewish people over an evil… continue reading

By Jamie B.   March 7, 2017    3

We’ve got a lot to celebrate throughout the month of March: Dr. Seuss ' birthday and National Read Across America Day are March 2. Check out our events calendar for a Dr. Seuss event… continue reading

By Sarah S.   March 1, 2017   

Philadelphia is home to the nation’s first Mint facility , and it is here that the largest number of U.S. pennies is manufactured. Pretty cool, right? Which links nicely with our next… continue reading

By Monica C.   February 17, 2017    2