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Illustrator Brian Biggs is visiting the Free Library of Philadelphia!
Illustrator Brian Biggs is visiting the Free Library of Philadelphia!
The Free Library of Philadelphia's own Mônica Carnesi illustrated this fabulous book.
The Free Library of Philadelphia's own Mônica Carnesi illustrated this fabulous book.
Monkey & Robot is Peter Catalanotto's latest hit!
Monkey & Robot is Peter Catalanotto's latest hit!

This year, celebrate National Library Week (April 14-20) at any of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s 54 locations city-wide. If you’re looking for literacy-rich, fun activities for young children, you’re in luck! Some of children’s literature’s greatest authors and illustrators are visiting your local library branches, Regional libraries and the Central Library. Our all-star line-up includes Lindsay Barrett George, Brian Biggs, Mônica Carnesi, Peter Catalanotto, and Kathleen Wainwright.

Find out which authors and illustrators will be visiting your local library, along with times and locations here: http://libwww.freelibrary.org/bookfestival/program.cfm

Tags: Events at the Library, Pre-K, children's programs

Strangers or angels?
Strangers or angels?

"Be not inhospitable to strangers, lest they be angels in disguise."

 

So reads the memorable inscription above the door of Shakespeare & Company, one of my favorite bookstores.

This quaint Parisian bookstore welcomes strangers with quiet mystery, magical selections on the bookshelves, and the occasional French cheese hidden among the books.  Far from Paris, at the equally enchanting but much more lively Blackwell Regional Library Children’s Department in the heart of West Philadelphia, we welcome strangers with the gentle chaos and well read books only found in a much-loved children’s library. On one fateful Saturday afternoon of homework frenzy and musical preschool computers, I was about to encounter two strangers who would turn out to be book angels.

Amidst the noise, my attention is drawn to a bright pink laptop and the two adults who are working so intently on something that they might as well be on a deserted island.  Blending professional helpfulness with personal nosiness, I inquire about their project.

As it turns out, this pair of women disguised as regular Saturday afternoon library patrons are none other than Coretta Scott King Honor Award Winning illustrator, Nancy Devard, and up-and-coming author and School District of Philadelphia teacher, Kathleen Wainwright.  And the project on the bright pink laptop?  That turns out to be a picture book which, after many a Saturday afternoon of work, has now been published!

I welcome everyone, stranger and friend alike, to celebrate this collaboration of local Philadelphia talent. Relive the simple joys of outdoor summer games as celebrated in their book, Summer in the City.  And while you’re visiting, perhaps you’ll discover a new favorite library full of magical books, gentle chaos, and strangers in disguise.        

 

Join us for the Summer in the City Block Party Book Launch Event:

Saturday, April 20th 2013

1:00 & 3:00 p.m.

Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library

125 S. 52nd Street

Philadelphia, PA 19139

215-685-7422

Become a fan on Facebook!

 

            

Tags: African American, Children's books, children's programs

Author Kathleen Wainwright
Author Kathleen Wainwright
Illustrator Nancy Devard
Illustrator Nancy Devard

Today marks what would have been the 84th birthday of Nobel Prize winning activist and Civil Rights Leader Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr.

The DREAM@50 is a tribute series that was held throughout 2012 and continues into 2013, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. The series included a student art contest (K-12), a world music/dance festival, and  video PSAs, all in celebration of creative collaboration in both the Civil Rights Movement and the arts as the foundation for a new paradigm in how we can live together. Philadelphia was one of 10 U.S. cities chosen to participate in the contest.

Students involved in the Free Library's Literacy Enrichment After-school Program (LEAP) who submitted art  to the contest currently have their art on display in Parkway Central Library.

The Free Library LEAP DREAM@50 contest winners can be seen on the right.

Those winners have been submitted to the Philadelphia-wide DREAM@50 art contest which will be judged with the results being announced at an awards ceremony on February 20th at Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Good luck to the artists and their entries!

Tags: African American, Awards, Exhibitions, Parkway Central, art, children's programs

Elementary winner – “Man of Peace” by Deijah H., 4th grade, Chestnut Hill Branch Library LEAP program
Elementary winner – “Man of Peace” by Deijah H., 4th grade, Chestnut Hill Branch Library LEAP program
Middle School Winner – “Freedom” by Nickolas B., 7th grade, Haverford Branch Library LEAP program
Middle School Winner – “Freedom” by Nickolas B., 7th grade, Haverford Branch Library LEAP program
High School Winner – “Launching the Dream” by Asherah G., 11th grade, Wynnefield Branch Library LEAP program
High School Winner – “Launching the Dream” by Asherah G., 11th grade, Wynnefield Branch Library LEAP program

Celebrate Children’s Book Week at Your Library

Next week, May 7 to 13, is the longest running literacy initiative in the United States, Children’s Book Week. Every year, we celebrate the best of the best in children’s books. 

Wondering what’s going on at your library? Check out your closest library’s page here, or take a look at the list below for a taste of what’s happening all across Philadelphia to celebrate kids and books. From author events to story times to book clubs and even a story time in the park, we've got a lot going on for kids, their parents and educators!

Monday, May 7th at 10:30 am - Dan Gutman, author of the My Weird School, Baseball Card Adventures, and Genius Files series, at the Central Library Montgomery Auditorium. School classes must call the Central Children's Department at (215) 686-5369 to register in advance.

Tuesday, May 8th at 10:30 am - Toddler Story Time at the Roxborough Branch. Bring your children for a program of stories, songs, and activities. The program is designed for children 18 months to 3 years old, but older siblings are welcome too. Groups are welcome but must call (215) 685-2550 in advance. 

Wednesday, May 9th at 6:30 pm – Books Aloud! At Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library. Books Aloud! is an educational enrichment initiative that promotes emergent literacy and library services for parents of preschool children, day care providers and preschool teachers. Through a series of monthly workshops, adults are provided with the resources and skills needed to read aloud successfully with young children. To register for the current month, please call the Office of Public Service Support at (215) 686-5372.

Thursday, May 10th at 10:30 am - Preschool Story Time at the Wynnefield Branch. Children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy stories, songs and rhymes. Stories are suitable for children 3-5 years, but all are welcome to join in. Groups must schedule in advance by contacting the library at (215) 685-0298.

Friday, May 11th  at 10:30 am - Michael Townsend, author of the Kit Feeny series, Billy Tartle, Monkey and Elephant’s Worst Fight Ever, and Amazing Greek Myths of Wonder and Blunder at the Central Library Montgomery Auditorium. School classes must call the Central Children's Department at (215) 686-5369 to register in advance.

Also on Friday, May 11th at 10:30 am - Story Time at Malcolm X Park, 52nd and Pine Streets. Join us for story time outside at Malcolm X Park, weather permitting. For rainy and inclement weather days, story time will be moved into the Children’s Departments story hour room. For more information, contact the Children’s Department at (215) 685-7422 or visit us on Facebook for our meeting location.

Saturday, May 12th at 2:00 pmThe one and only Jacqueline Woodson,  author of The Other Side, Show Way, Feathers, and Locomotion at the Central Library Montgomery Auditorium. For families with children in Kindergarten through grade 4. Call the Central Children's Department at (215) 686-5369 for more information.

Also on Saturday, May 12th at 3:00 pm - Book Club for 3rd and 4th Graders at David Cohen Ogontz Branch. Each week  boys and girls in the third and fourth grades read together and share their ideas with Ms. Prather. Call (215) 685-3566 for more information.

 

Tags: Books Aloud, Children's books, Pre-K, children's programs, early literacy

Children's Book Week Poster by David Wiesner
Children's Book Week Poster by David Wiesner
Eastwick Branch Librarian Tara reads to her baby!
Eastwick Branch Librarian Tara reads to her baby!
The amazing Jacqueline Woodson will visit the Central Library on Saturday, May 12th!
The amazing Jacqueline Woodson will visit the Central Library on Saturday, May 12th!

To celebrate our extensive collection of Beatrix Potter materials and to share her magical world with children across Philadelphia, we are proud to partner with the Beatrix Potter Society to bring a series of special Potter-themed story times to several Free Library branches throughout the city.

On Friday, September 16, bring your little ones to one of the following Free Library locations to learn more about Beatrix Potter and enjoy festive readings of her iconic children’s stories.

Cecil B. Moore Branch
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Grade Level: K-up

Fumo Family Branch
Times: 9:30, 10:15, and 11:00 a.m.
Grade Level: 1st and 2nd Grade

Independence Branch
Times: 10:00 and 11:00 a.m.
Grade Level: Preschool

Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Grade Level: Preschool

Northeast Regional Library
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Grade Level: 4 - 8 years old

Parkway Central Library
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Grade Level: 1st and 2nd Grade

Philadelphia City Institute
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Grade Level: Preschool

The Free Library’s collection of Beatrix Potter’s first editions, artwork, photographs, and more is the largest collection of its kind outside of the United Kingdom. Now through October 14, you can view some of these special gems in Parkway Central Library’s Rare Book Department at the exhibition, "The Charming Little Bunny."

Also on display at Parkway Central on the second floor is a collection of porcelain figurines depicting some of Potter’s most iconic characters. And you can always check out one of her timeless tales from your neighborhood library to read at home!

Tags: Children's books, children's programs