Board books are an all-time favorite—ideal for babies and toddlers, just right for little hands (and mouths)—the perfect treat to share with little ones. Here are three brand new board… continue reading

By Monica C.   July 16, 2018    2

Pressure to conform can be difficult to resist. It is hard to defy expectations, to be true to oneself, when one is facing peer pressure. It takes courage (and sometimes a friend) to find comfort… continue reading

By Monica C.   July 9, 2018   

Ah, summer... The sun is out, the fountains are on, school is out, energy is high, and let's face it—for parents, this can be a challenging time. Here’s a list of things that are… continue reading

By Sarah S.   June 21, 2018    1

Lamb — yes, lamb! That’s the start of the popular 19th century nursery rhyme about a girl named Mary and her faithful little lamb... It’s a rhyme, it’s a song (by Paul… continue reading

By Monica C.   June 11, 2018   

Maybe you've seen the posters around your local library or neighborhood and thought, "Who created that artwork?" The Free Library of Philadelphia is thrilled that award-winning… continue reading

By Valerie S.   June 8, 2018   

Nonconforming picture books challenge stereotypes: in these books, boys and girls act and behave in a way that feels right to them rather than by conforming to expectations or conventional… continue reading

By Monica C.   June 4, 2018   

We’ve all been there... Days when something goes wrong and we feel down in the dumps or maybe it someone else is having a hard time. When someone we care for is having a bad day, how can we… continue reading

By Monica C.   May 21, 2018   

Comics are for everyone, even the youngest readers! Graphic novels account for some of the most popular children’s books today, are an excellent way to engage even the most reluctant reader,… continue reading

By Meredith M.   April 17, 2018   

We all have our favorites when it comes to picture books, and for me, one of my top ten picture books of all time is Leaves by David Ezra Stein . It is such perfect book – one very young… continue reading

By Monica C.   April 5, 2018   

Author/illustrator Maria Van Lieshout has a series of books aptly called Big Kid Power . Drawing from her own experience as a mother, the books are meant to help caregivers and children reach… continue reading

By Monica C.   March 19, 2018   

Earlier this month in Denver, CO, a room full of children's and teen librarians erupted in cheers, gasps, and wild applause for the newest batch of books chosen to receive Youth Media Awards .… continue reading

By Peter SM   February 27, 2018   

I was so excited when I heard the announcement that Matthew Cordell had won the 2018 Caldecott Medal for Wolf in the Snow . While not a retelling of the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood , the… continue reading

By Monica C.   February 20, 2018   

Happy February, everyone! Let’s celebrate Black History Month with our favorite African American authors and illustrators. The recently published books linked to in this month's… continue reading

By Sarah S.   February 12, 2018   

The literary world lost a genre-defying icon last week with the passing of Ursula K. Le Guin . The author of scores of children's books, short stories, poetry, and essays, her voice—and… continue reading

By Administrator   January 30, 2018   

When I go for a walk or ride on a bus through the city streets as night begins to fall, I can’t help but look at windows. As I pass each townhouse or apartment, I get a glimpse of a… continue reading

By Monica C.   January 18, 2018   

Happy New Year! Let’s start this new year right, by singing, talking, playing, writing—and of course reading—with our little ones! Not only did we celebrate New Year’s Day… continue reading

By Peter SM   January 3, 2018   

Ferdinand never wanted to be a fighting bull, so he's right at home here in the Free Library...  John Cena stars as the big-hearted bull in the animated adaptation opening in theaters… continue reading

By Caitlin G.   December 15, 2017   

Author, illustrator, and Ezra Jack Keats Award winner Don Tate recently visited the Children's Literature Research Collection to research an upcoming title. During his visit, Don sat down with… continue reading

By Chris B.   December 14, 2017   

Author  Erin Entrada Kelly recently sat down with us in the  Children's Literature Research Collection  and spoke about illustration, cultural struggles, and how her childhood… continue reading

By Chris B.   December 7, 2017    1

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, whether you celebrate Hanukkah (December 12 – 20), the Winter Solstice (December 21), Christmas (December 25), Kwanzaa (December 26 –… continue reading

By Sarah S.   December 1, 2017