Books by Local Authors or With Philly Links
Looking for a gift book for a young reader? Here are some with a local tie to Philadelphia, the Main Line, South Jersey and Delaware.
You can eat local. You can drink local. Can you read local? Sure.
In the last year, we’ve come across several authors, illustrators and books that have a connection to our area. So as you shop for gifts for young readers this holiday season, here are some hometown options.
Hello, Universe
Erin Entrada Kelly, a professor of children’s literature at Rosemont College in Bryn Mawr, PA, won a Newbery Medal this year for her book about a shy boy who gets stuck in a well.
My Cousin Momo
Narberth, PA illustrator and author Zachariah OHora’s book was the Pennsylvania One Book selection last summer. Young readers heard it read aloud at libraries across the state.
A Promise Stitched in Time
Cherry Hill, NJ author and illustrator Colleen Rowan Kosinski published her debut novel this year about a girl who tries to find out what a vintage, possibly haunted, coat wants to tell her.
Knights vs. Dinosaurs
Ardmore, PA author, illustrator and graphic novelist Matt Phelan’s first chapter book is a heavily illustrated tale described as “Monty Python for young middle-school readers.”
Where is Robin? Philadelphia
This charmingly illustrated tour of the city from a robin’s eye view is part of a series by author Robin Barone that includes kid guides to New York, LA, London, Paris and others.
Secret Philadelphia
South Philly native Mary Dixon Lebeau explores dozens of lesser known, often oddly appealing landmarks in the city. Written for adults, it’s easily accessible for middle-school readers and a great resource for family trips.
P is for Philadelphia
This 2018 reissue from Susan Korman of Yardley, PA, is an alphabetic tour of the city and region with 54 illustrations from local children. Entries include “C is for Cheese Steaks” and “V is for Valley Forge.”
A TRIO OF FIRST-TIMERS
Three writers who released their first children’s book this year: Haverford, PA’s Hallee Adelman’s My Quiet Ship about a boy who escapes the shouting.
Plymouth Meeting, PA native Jimmy Curran’s Will the One-Winged Eagle, which teaches kids about people with disabilities. Philadelphia motivational speaker Niema Golphin’s Grey’s Treasure Box follows a boy’s search for something he had all along.
