It's September—time to celebrate National Grandparents Day ! And what better way to celebrate than to share a picture book with your very special grandpa/grandma? Below are three… continue reading

By Monica C.   September 5, 2019   

In part 2 of interviews conducted around the Trans Writers, Kids, and Books event (you can find our interview with Kyle Lukoff from before the event in an earlier blog post), this time we speak… continue reading

By Naomi S.   July 31, 2019   

I’ve always loved this expression – probably because it includes two of my favorite things: the summer season and dogs! As an idiom, the dog days are the hottest, most humid days of… continue reading

By Monica C.   July 18, 2019   

Happy birthday to the beloved children’s writer—and the voice in the ears of editors everywhere— E.B. White ! A regular essayist for the New Yorker for half a century, White is… continue reading

By Clare F.   July 11, 2019   

In celebration of Independence Day, let’s take a look at one of America’s greatest national monuments: The Statue of Liberty . Recognized internationally as a symbol of freedom, it is… continue reading

By Monica C.   July 3, 2019   

2019 has been a great year for children’s books so far. We are seeing so many own-voices books, although there is still a long way to go. Some of my favorites from the first half of the year… continue reading

By Mary W.   June 18, 2019    2

Are you looking for ideas on fun things to do for Father's Day?  How about cuddling with the perfect picture book? We have loads of wonderful picture books celebrating the bonds between… continue reading

By Monica C.   June 12, 2019   

Take a free tour of Our 5 Senses , a fully-interactive exhibition that connects the science of the senses with the mind and the literary experience. Tours begin at 3:00 p.m.and finish at… continue reading

By Joe S.   May 30, 2019    1

Parkway Central Library Senior Services will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Coretta Scott King Awards for excellence in African American children’s literature with a five-part… continue reading

By Lisa-Jane E.   May 29, 2019    2

When I noticed that May 23 is the birthdate of one of our great children’s authors – Margaret Wise Brown , of The Runaway Bunny and Goodnight Moon fame – I immediately thought of… continue reading

By Kate C.   May 23, 2019   

This year, Free Library Comic Con celebrates its 5th anniversary with our annual event at the Parkway Central Library on May 11, 2019! When you arrive, you’ll first encounter our Vendor Hall… continue reading

By Kris L.   May 2, 2019    2

Ramadan, Islam’s holiest month, begins on May 5. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim lunar calendar and all over the world Muslim families celebrate with daily fasting and prayer. For… continue reading

By Monica C.   May 2, 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… continue reading

By Chris B.   April 29, 2019    5

We’re back for another edition of Picture Book Highlights – a series where we put the spotlight on a book that has been ordered for all neighborhood libraries . Earlier this year we… continue reading

By Monica C.   April 15, 2019   

Hans Christian Andersen was born on April 2, 1805. Sure, he died in 1874, but let's focus on the positive. If HC were still alive today, he'd still be marching to the beat of his own… continue reading

By Chris B.   April 2, 2019   

The Free Library was fortunate to recently receive a donation of books by Polish authors that were translated into English, along with books in Polish for both adults and children. The books were… continue reading

By Paul A.   March 26, 2019    1

Every year, the Free Library of Philadelphia hosts a Family Fest —a celebration just for children and their families in the historic Parkway Central Library . Open to the public, this very… continue reading

By Alexa L.   March 25, 2019   

Though our One Book, One Philadelphia 2018-2019 season is now over, the Free Library will keep connecting readers through a shared text all spring long! We are thrilled to be launching an… continue reading

By Jess P.   March 20, 2019   

It’s still early in the race for the presidency 2020, but already we have 4 (four!) women candidates for the presidency: Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Kamala… continue reading

By Monica C.   March 12, 2019   

Tomi Ungerer (November 28, 1931 - February 8, 2019) was a complex man. His artwork reflected that complexity.   Ungerer’s work has often been called subversive for its themes of war,… continue reading

By Chris B.   February 11, 2019    1