Mary Westbrook is a children's librarian at the Free Library of Philadelphia. June ushers in the beginning of summer and Father’s Day. Changing seasons can also bring other changes, like pregnancy and new babies, into families’ lives. Celebrating a new…
February is the shortest month and is firmly set in winter. At this time, we’re dreaming of warmer, longer days. Summer fun and camps await us, but February is also a time to express love for family, friends and oneself.…
With winter upon us and the daylight hiding, January is the perfect month for indoor family fun. You may be thinking about warmer weather and sunnier skies. Why not dive into some books about summer camp? January is also National…
A new year means a new beginning. Perhaps you’ll make a pledge to read more, be more helpful, be a better friend or eat more healthy foods. The new year is full of hope, promises and happiness. This time of…
As a children’s librarian, the change in season means sharing new books with my friends. When fall comes around, I begin to think about a new school year, giving thanks for all that I have and my friends and family.…
“Go Away, Big Green Monster!” by Ed Emberley This classic interactive book has been helping children come to terms with their bedtime fears for more than 25 years. The storyline…
One of my favorite parts of fall is Halloween and everything connected with the holiday. Reading Halloween stories by myself or for storytime is always fun. Explore some of my favorites on these pages. You can check them out at…
I love children’s books — chapter books, graphic novels, middle grade novels and everything in between. For me, the best thing about these books is sharing them with children who might love them, too! Here are some of my favorites,…
It's never too early to teach your kids about love and acceptance. This Pride Month is the perfect opportunity to introduce your children to the wide variety of children's books…
Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! One way to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with your kids this May is by reading books by Asian American authors and illustrators.…
Philadelphia is a city steeped in history, which of course includes women’s history. For this Women’s History Month, we’ve selected five children’s books for young readers about impactful women with…
Educational books that help with children's understanding of history, science, and everyday life.
The discovery of Shakespeare's work with handwritten notes by John Milton is called "one of the most important literary discoveries of modern times." You can see it for the next month at the Free Library of Philadelphia.
These children's books about trees, owls and New York City will change how they see the world (or city) around them.
From picture books to teen literature, The Horn Book provides its list of the best books for kids of all ages to read over summer break.
Children’s books that teach through objects in a museum, stickers, imagination and Hedy Lamarr’s inventions.
Here are some of the best pop-up books for kids this year.
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.
A Pennsylvania boy was named the Grand Prize winner in the 2018 Library of Congress Summer Writing Contest. Tyler Williams, who entered through Spring City Free Library in Chester County, wrote about the Harry Potter series on the theme of "A…
Erin Entrada Kelly is a professor of children's literature at Rosemont College in Bryn Mawr, PA. Her book, Hello, Universe, won the 2018 Newbery Medal and this is an excerpt of the acceptance speech she gave this week. It was…
The Free Library of Philadelphia kicked off its Summer of Wonder series in style Thursday with an event that included special guests and fun activities. Third graders from three different Philadelphia elementary schools came to the library to learn about…
I was a reluctant reader. Most writers boast about being the kid under the blankets with a flashlight. Not me. The thing is, I really wanted to want to read. I envied kids at school who buried their noses in…
Update: A Pennsylvania boy was named the Grand Prize winner in The Library of Congress Summer Writing Contest. Tyler Williams, who entered through Spring City Free Library in Chester County, wrote about the Harry Potter series on the theme of…