The world can be a pretty rough place sometimes. Sad things can happen to you or your friends, to people close by, or to people that live far, far away, all over the world. It’s easy to be… continue reading

By Monica C.   September 20, 2018   

Hail to families, all kinds of families! And on September 16 we'll honor a very special family unit—the blended family. Families that come together: mothers, fathers, and children to… continue reading

By Monica C.   September 14, 2018   

Did you know? The first Sunday after Labor Day is National Grandparents Day ! The relationship between grandparents and grandkids is a very special one. For grandparents, it brings back memories… continue reading

By Monica C.   September 7, 2018   

It's that time of year again—the start of a new school year! For all little ones, this is always a time of excitement and some nervousness. It’s only natural though, as new… continue reading

By Monica C.   August 27, 2018   

Have you heard the good news? There is a new baby giraffe at the Philadelphia Zoo ! His name is Beau and he was born Sunday, June 10th to Stella and Gus. Beau joins sister Abigail, born in 2010.… continue reading

By Monica C.   August 6, 2018   

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