Tagged Children
Sundays on Stage: Colors of India
Join the four dancers of AATMA Performing Arts on an epic journey charting the exciting evolution of Indian dance. This dynamic performance focuses on the explosive rhythms found in Indian classical and folk dance, which eventually gave…
Sundays on Stage: Soul Steps
Enjoy the engaging, high-energy step choreography which started among African-American fraternities and sororities as a means of unity and self-expression, and has deep roots in the migrant labor culture of South African gold mines.…
Sundays on Stage: Puppet Theatre Inside and Out
Spark imaginations and encourage creative risks with this wonderful introduction to the puppet world, including an expert presentation of Aesop’s Fables with Steve Abrams. Montgomery Auditorium Parkway Central Library 1901 Vine…
Sundays on Stage: The Brave Little Tailor
With expressive masks, life-size puppets, original music and imaginative scenic effects, Enchantment Theatre Company brings this beloved story to life in its uniquely magical way! Montgomery Auditorium Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Free…
Sundays on Stage: Titans of Song: A Musical Tribute to Paul Robeson and Marian Anderson
Hear their dramatic stories - and glorious music - in this unique multimedia tribute created and performed by the musical group Follow the Drinking Gourd, which is composed of singers Ivan Woods and Beverly Owens and pianist Diane…
Sundays on Stage: Lion Dance Plus
Performed by Dance China New York, Lion Dance introduces students to beloved Chinese folk art pieces, including excerpts from Beijing Opera featuring the popular Monkey King character, as well as the Chinese ribbon dance. Montgomery…
Sundays on Stage: Bantaba: The Circle of Celebration
The Seventh Principle brings together traditional African and modern African-American dance while teaching about the respective cultures on opposite sides of the Atlantic. Montgomery Auditorium Parkway Central Library 1901 Vine Street…
SmART Readers
Students ages 7-12 can join us for an exciting visual art and literacy program! A visiting artist will engage students in fun art making experiences tied to literacy skills. Space is limited and registration is encouraged! See the…
Storytime and Block Play
Stories and songs followed by playtime with our wooden blocks. Recommended for ages 2 to 6, accompanied by an adult; siblings are always welcome. Imagine, build, and create! Groups must call the children's…
Monthly Movie Special
Watch a family-friendly movie and enjoy popcorn each month. Early arrivers will get the chance to vote on which film we watch!
Storytime and Block Play
Stories and songs followed by playtime with our wooden blocks. Recommended for ages 2 to 6, accompanied by an adult; siblings are always welcome. Imagine, build, and create! Groups must call the children's…
Construction Club
Children aged eight and younger, accompanied by a caregiver, are invited to join us as we build with wooden blocks, magnetic tiles, Lincoln Logs, Mega Bloks, and more, with people, animals, and vehicles to inhabit their creations! In…
Pajama Play Group
Creative play for preschoolers and their adult caregivers. Wear your pajamas and bring your favorite stuffed animal if you like (not required). Meet, talk and play together with other families in your community!
Pajama Storytime
Join us for songs and stories to end your busy day and get ready for bedtime. You are encouraged to wear your pajamas to the library and bring along your favorite stuffed toy (not required). For preschoolers and their adult…
Pajama Storytime
Join us for songs and stories to end your busy day and get you ready for bedtime. You are encouraged to wear your pajamas to the library and bring along your favorite stuffed toy. For children ages 7 and under, along…
PAWS for Reading—Read with Sophie!
Readers of all ages and stages are invited to read aloud to a well-trained therapy animal in order to improve their reading and communication skills. Since pets don’t correct mistakes, there is no pressure to “perform”…
SmART Readers
Students ages 7-12 can join us for an exciting visual art and literacy program! A visiting artist will engage students in fun art making experiences tied to literacy skills. Space is limited and registration is encouraged! See the…
LEGO Day
Join other children and explore your creative side with Legos. Mega-blocks available for smaller children; all materials provided.
Community Story Time
Join us for our family & community story time! Children ages 0-5, their siblings, and their caregivers are invited for stories, songs, and movement. Day care groups and preschools must call ahead.
Open Climb
Come take advantage of our new play space, featuring a miniature rockwall! Our redesign encourages imaginative play that boosts children’s learning and development. This program is intended for families with children ages 3-5.…
LGBTQ Middle Grade Books
Books featuring LGBTQ characters and voices within children's fiction.
Let's Talk About Consent: 3rd - 6th Grade
Books and resources to aid parents, caregivers, and educators discuss the topic of consent and personal boundaries with children in grades 3rd - 6th.
Let's Talk About Consent: PreK - 2nd Grade
Books and resources to aid parents, caregivers, and educators discuss the topic of consent and personal boundaries with children in grades PreK - 2nd.
Explore Your World
Explore your senses, your house, and the world around you.
Books with a Beat
Picture books with rhyming or musical text that can be read or sung.
Bedtime Books
"Lullaby, and good night, in the skies stars are bright. May the moon's silvery beams bring you sweet dreams. Close your eyes now and rest, may these hours be blessed. 'Til the sky's bright with dawn, when you wake with a yawn."
Winter Holidays
Great books to share and learn about Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, and New Year's.
Ramadan Picture Books
Read all about Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, and celebrate Eid al Fitr with these great books.
Easter
Easter fun for kids of all ages!
Three Kings Day
Stories about Three Kings Day, the joyous last day of the Christmas holiday.
The Books We Loved Growing Up
What books did Children's librarians read when they were kids? We've picked some of our favorites for you to enjoy!
Silly Books
Books that are guaranteed to make Toddlers and Preschoolers giggle : )
Survival Stories
Tales of abandonment, danger, and perseverance.
Remembering Maurice Sendak
Books by the famous author and illustrator Maurice Sendak.
Homeless Children
Stories about children and their families dealing with homelessness.
Pretty, Pink Princess Books that Won’t Make Parents Puke
The answer to the question: “are there any books about pink princessey girls that aren’t awful (meaning, I suppose, no Barbie paperbacks, no damsel-in-distress type situations, nothing too vapid)?”
Picture Books about Adoptive, Foster or Blended Families
Handpicked by Children’s Librarians all over the Free Library, this book list features the best picture books, nonfiction books, poetry and more that help parents introduce their children to different kinds of families, including foster…
Good Days and Bad Days
We all have Good Days and Bad Days. Here are some books that will entertain kids no matter how their day is going.
Penguins
Have fun reading and looking at books about penguins!
LGBTQ Picture Books
Books for children of LGBTQ parents, or for little brothers and sisters of LGBTQ teens. Revised 6/2018
TumbleBooks
TumbleBooks is an online collection of animated, talking picture books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they'll love.
TrueFlix *
Student Resources In Context
"Thousands of curriculum-targeted primary documents, biographies, topical essays, background information, critical analyses, full-text coverage of 800 magazines, over 10,000 photographs and illustrations, and more than 8 hours of audio…
Smithsonian Global Sound for Libraries
With an extraordinary array of more than 35,000 individual tracks of streaming music, spoken word, and natural and human-made sounds, users can listen to performances by American folk icons such as Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Pete Seeger…
Research in Context *
Discover reliable and trusted information on a variety of topics to support middle school student research for government, U.S and world history, geography, literature, sciences, and social issues. Research In Context offers…
Popular Music Library
Popluar Music Library contains a wide range of popular music from around the world, including hundreds of thousands of tracks from major genres in pop music, including alternative, country, Christian, electronic, hip-hop, metal, punk,…
Overdrive Kid's eReading Room
Ebooks and audiobooks from Overdrive for young readers.
Mango Languages
Mango Languages is an online language-learning system teaching actual conversation skills for a wide variety of languages.
KidsHealth
KidsHealth is more than just the facts about health. As part of The Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media, KidsHealth also provides families with perspective, advice, and comfort about a wide range of physical,…
Kid's POWER Library *
Quickly find the best resources for children and students from Power Library, Pennsylvania's state run library resource center
Kids InfoBits *
Elementary students in kindergarten through grade five will find age-appropriate content covering a broad range of educational topics such as animals, arts, geography, health, literature, people, social studies, technology, etc. Kids…
Jazz Music Library
This resource will be the largest and most comprehensive collection of jazz available online. This release includes 4,933 albums and 59,860 tracks. It and is growing regularly.
Homework Help Online
Online Homework Help tutoring services available including Math, Science, English, Social Studies (in Spanish and English); Skills Building; Test Prep; State-aligned skills building; and a 24-hour writing lab.
WOAR
Women Organized Against Rape—Philadelphia's Only Rape Crisis Center. Women Organized Against Rape is a non-profit organization whose mission is to eliminate sexual violence.
We Can Teach Kids Consent Without Bringing Sex Into the Conversation
How a sexuality educator about how she began broaching the topic of consent and boundaries with her 4-year old.
The Consensual Project
The Consensual Project partners with schools and universities to bring students a fresh understanding of consent. The innovative curriculum, workshops, and website empower young people to incorporate consent into their daily lives.
Scarleteen
Advice, help, and information about teen sexuality. Special sections for teen gals and guys. This special section has a ton of information about what consent looks like.
RAINN
RAINN – Rape Abuse & Incest National Network – is an anti-sexual assault organization working with local rape crisis centers across the U.S. Also has a web-based crisis hotline providing live and anonymous support.
Philly schools pass sweeping policy protecting transgender students
"Without debate or comments from the public, the Philadelphia School Reform Commission adopted a policy on Thursday, June 16 that immediately allows transgender students to, among other things, be referred to by their pronoun of choice;…
Organize a Childern's Space
Fun and creative ways to organize a child's play room or bedroom.
National Geographic Kids - First Thanksgiving
National Geographic Kids serves up a history lesson for kids about the First Thanksgiving, including fun quizzes and games.
Midwest Teen Sex Show
Midwest Teen Sex Show was a comedic, semi-educational video podcast featured brief 3-5 minute monthly episodes on topics relating to teen sexuality like birth control, sexuality, hook-ups and more. Although the show is no longer…
Its Never Too Early To Teach Children About Consent and Boundaries
Great article from a Canadian writer about how parents can model consent and keep the conversation open and positive.
It's On Us
This initiative from the White House aims to change the conversation and the culture around campus sexual assault.
Get your kids reading! Fall picks from the Free Library
Teresa Arnold and Monica Carnesi, Children’s Material Selectors; and Rachel Fryd, Young Adult Materials Selector at the Philadelphia Free Library, give their children's book recommendations to Philly.com
6 Ways to Talk to Your Kids About Consent
This quick article from September 2015 includes 6 tips on how to talk to your kids about consent – its appropriate for parents of children and teens. Bonus points – funny gifs.
1 in 6
Resources and stories focused on male survivors of unwanted or abusive sexual experiences in childhood live healthier, happier lives.