With this month’s Comix Club drawing nigh (that’s Tuesday, August 29 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. in the Art Department), here is a Review Spotlight of sparkly new additions to the Philadelphia Comics Collection . Each review contains a recommendation of similar or related comics, which are also available in the Philadelphia… continue reading Comix Club's New Titles Spotlight Review
By written by Eileen E. August 23, 2023
You have a story to tell. Now more than ever, in these uncertain times, people long to be heard, they are speaking up and speaking out. Author Jason Reynolds' award-recognized and highly-praised Look Both Ways (available in ebook and audiobook formats) takes a look at 10 young people, in 10 chapters, all of whom go to the same school and… continue reading Look Both Ways and Tell Your Story
By written by Jeff B. July 2, 2020
Magnificence sometimes appears in the most commonplace observations. In the poetic celebration of self and nature, Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration is a series of young brown girls admiring the many different browns in their environments and in their own images. "Deep secret brown...playfully beckoning me / through my… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | Brown: A Deep and Varied Joy
By written by Jeff B. February 12, 2020 2
I’m excited and intrigued by the upcoming release of the new Doctor Dolittle movie starring Robert Downey, Jr. — Dolittle ... The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle was one of the first novels I ever read as a young boy growing up in the bucolic lakeshore countryside of Upstate New York. The series of children’s novels written by Hugh… continue reading The Doctor is In: Doctor Dolittle Revisited
By written by Jeff B. January 17, 2020
Sometimes you come across a small book that holds much more than what you see between the cover. Migrations: Open Hearts, Open Borders is just such a wonder. This timely and heartening work, the fruition of an exhibit by the same name held at The International Centre for the Picture Book in Society at the University of Worcester in… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | 'Tis the Season... and the Times
By written by Jeff B. December 24, 2019
[ Editor's note: We librarians offer literally thousands of programs every year. It's a special thrill to get formal feedback from our audiences. We can't publish every review we get, but we're overjoyed to have gotten this one for Making Philadelphia Home: An Immigrant Heritage Month Story Slam by Melissa Verhey on June 6, 2018… continue reading Art, Gardens, and Stories: Making Philadelphia Home
By written by Administrator June 28, 2018
Three upcoming new books, coming out in three consecutive months, will focus on the subject of the workings of the human brain. Helen Thomson, a freelance science journalist, tells the stories of nine extraordinary people from around the world in her new book, Unthinkable . Thomson, whose background is in neuroscience, was fascinated… continue reading Wrap Your Head Around These Books About the Brain
By written by Ai Leng N. March 23, 2018 1
"Hate-watching"—watching something you dislike for the oddly enjoyable/satisfying/fun experience of hating on it—has become a staple of our media times. I am typically a literary purist, holding a book as the one true form of a given story and nitpicking changes to the story on the big and little screens.… continue reading The Handmaid’s Tale: A Classic Dystopia Comes of Age
By written by Julie B. June 12, 2017 2
Did you know that December is Read A New Book Month ? That’s right, the perfect excuse to dig into something you haven’t read before, especially as the temperatures continue to drop and the idea of leaving the house and the comfort of our cozy blankets seems less and less appealing. To help you find something that’s new (to… continue reading December is Read A New Book Month!
By written by Kate C. December 12, 2016 1
I love a graphic novel—and even better I love a graphic novel memoir . There is something so much more intimate about reading the words AND pictures when someone shares her story. Or maybe I’m just a slower reader when it comes to nonfiction … who is to say? Either way, there have been a TON of amazing graphic novels that… continue reading Graphic Novel Memoirs
By written by Rachel F. August 24, 2016
August is hot and steamy in Philadelphia... a perfect time to take a vacation to somewhere sunny, beachy, or just far away. Need some books to keep the kids busy? Here you go! Everything Goes On Land by Philadelphia’s own Brian Biggs is like a modernized Cars and Trucks and Things That Go , Richard Scarry’s classic search-and-find… continue reading Children's Books for Your Next Roadtrip!
By written by Sarah S. August 4, 2016
Post written by Mary W. Most of us have read, or at least heard of, Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman and Laura Cornell, which was recently reissued this year. In addition to this book, there many others that deal with the concept of same-sex parents (please see below for a short list). In the media most recently we’ve… continue reading Helpful Books about Gender Identity for Children
By written by Michelle S. June 12, 2015
Need another place to find book reviews for great new children’s books? Well, good news! The Free Library of Philadelphia has an exciting new feature in The Notebook , the newspaper for Philadelphia’s Public Schools. The Notebook is a fabulous resourcee for parents, educatros, students and friends of Philadelphia’s public… continue reading Children's Book Reviews now in The Notebook!
By written by Sarah S. June 9, 2015
The Free Library of Philadelphia has released the newest version of our mobile site ! The new mobile site (version 3.0) uses responsive web design and provides an optimal viewing experience on all browsers and most mobile devices, regardless of screen size. The site was built using jQuery mobile framework and HTML5 . FLP Mobile Website 3.0… continue reading Free Library of Philadelphia Mobile Site 3.0
By written by Peter SM December 11, 2012
The Library of Congress , in celebration of National Book Festival has an exhibit featuring " Books That Shaped America ." They curated a list of 88 books which they feel are influential and shaped our nation. The list is below and we provide links so you can view the books in our catalog and hopefully read. Title Author Publication… continue reading Books That Shaped America
By written by Camille T. July 20, 2012
As I’m sure many of my fellow readers do, too, I have an extensive and ever-rotating list of favorite authors. I look forward to reading their new works and enjoy exploring their back lists of novels and stories. Frequently, I’ll discover a new writer I enjoy and immediately want to read everything he or she has ever written.… continue reading “Hardback Favorites” - Margot Livesey
By written by Michelle S. February 22, 2012
We pride ourselves on being the Free Library of Opportunity, providing the resources, services, and programs that help our users find success in whatever task they’re tackling. For job seekers, that means providing free Wi-Fi to conduct your job search; free computer access to update your résumé and cover letter; robust… continue reading Attention Job Seekers: The Free Library has the Resources You Need for Your First Job, Next Job, New Job
By written by Shahadah A. November 3, 2011 2
If you’re a movie lover, then you might be familiar with the video distribution company The Criterion Collection . This company is known for re-releasing classic and foreign films, as well as films made by celebrated directors. Many times you can only find the critically acclaimed and celebrated foreign language films in their collection.… continue reading The Criterion Collection and Subtitles Aren't that Bad
By written by Camille T. July 28, 2011
The Street Lit Book Award Medal Committee comprises of a group of volunteer librarians and library workers from across the U.S. who work with Street Lit and its readers in public and school libraries. The Committee collected, discussed, and nominated titles based on library patron popularity, book club interest, and overall reception of the… continue reading 2011 Street Lit Book Award Medal Winner and Honor Books
By written by Music Department April 27, 2011 6
What are the kids up to these days? Reading a diverse array of books and graphic novels and watching some clever TV shows and films, as it turns out! Here are our most popular titles for children in a variety of categories. Please note that for book and television series listings, we have multiple records in our catalog! BOOKS:… continue reading Most Circulated Titles at the Free Library, Part III: Children's
By written by Michelle S. February 17, 2011 5
