Summer Reading Program!

We are consistent library-goers, visiting our closest free library at least once, sometimes more than once a week. We've moved three times in the past five years but one thing has remained constant- we find our closest library and become a regular customer. All the security guards know us. Most of the librarians know us. This definitely helps when our library fines start stacking up from our piles of overdue books. But I digress.

Our main library love in these hot months (besides the awesome air conditioning) is the summer reading program happening at every branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia. We LOVE the summer reading program. Your child doesn't have to be reading to join! Even if you are reading books to them, you can sign up and start listing each book you've read every week this summer. When you fill up your folder with stickers for every book you get little prizes like animal masks and sidewalk chalk and big prizes like free tickets to Clementon Park and free doughnuts from Dunkin' Donuts(that's big for us). My preschooler and almost kindergartener are beyond delighted when they get to fill up their summer reading program sheet and I ask them to tell me and the librarian about all the books we read that week. They are learning to be proud of all the "reading" they are doing. Adults can win prizes too, just for reading books to kids! Let's support our libraries all year long!

p.s. In 100 degree weather, I'd try to keep these kids in the library playing computer games, reading books, and winning prizes all afternoon!

New Summer Poetry Classes at Big Blue Marble Bookstore!

I asked local poet Jane Cassady why her new poetry classes this summer for kids at Big Blue Marble Bookstore can't be missed. Here's what she told me:

1. You can bring your kids to poetry class and have an hour for yourself to hang out in the bookstore or co-op or Springboard Studio or High Point Cafe, etc...
2. Because it's awesome arts and crafts poetry fun!
3. It's great vocabulary building and reading help.
4. We're going to put out an anthology at the end of the class so kids will be published poets by the end of the summer!

Check out the details:

Miss Jane's Poetry Club (for children 5-7 yrs) Tuesdays, June 29-August 10. (6 sessions--no class the week of Independence Day) 1pm-2pm

Fun with words! Each week, we will get inspired by poems and songs from poets of all ages and backgrounds. Using word games, arts and crafts, skits and other activities, we will learn new and exciting ways to express our amazing gifts. Poetry Club is an excellent way for kids to increase vocabulary, practice spelling, and receive extra reading help. At the end of the class, students will be published in a chapbook along with the other Big Blue Marble Poetry Classes. We'll have a festival to celebrate! 100.00 (includes supplies and copies of the poetry/art book.) Scholarships available. Pre-register at aesthetic52@yahoo.com, 215-432-4036.


Miss Jane's Poetry Club (for children 8-12 yrs) Wednesdays, June 30-August 11. (6 sessions, no class the week of Independence Day) 1pm-2pm


Fun with words! Each week, we will get inspired by poems and songs from poets of all ages and backgrounds. Using word games, arts and crafts, skits and other activities, we will learn new and exciting ways to express our amazing gifts. Poetry Club is also an excellent way for kids to increase vocabulary, practice spelling, and receive extra reading help. At the end of the class, we will be published in a chapbook along with the other Big Blue Marble Poetry Classes. We'll have a festival to celebrate! 100.00 (includes supplies and copies of the poetry/art book.) Scholarships available. Pre-register at aesthetic52@yahoo.com, 215-432-4036.

All of these will classes happen at Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, Philly, in the community room.

Jane Cassady is the booking maven for the Philadelphia Poetry Slam. She has appeared in The November 3rd Club, The Comstock Review, Valley of the Contemporary Poets, and other journals. She has performed at such venues as LouderArts in New York City, Valley Contemporary Poets in Los Angeles, and The Encyclopedia Show in Chicago. She has taught poetry to all ages from pre-K to adult, and believes in coaxing out everyone's unique poet voice.

Big Blue Marble Bookstore's Bunch of Events for Kids!

Big Blue Marble Bookstore, Northwest Philadelphia's premiere spot for free, community events for children and adults, has a packed schedule this fall with events ranging from puppets plays to pirate parties, from excellent young adult readings to seminars teaching parents how they can pay for their child's education. Come check us out!

-Maleka Fruean, events coordinator at Big Blue Marble Bookstore


FOR KIDS:

Sunday, November 15, 11:00am and 11:45am. Waldorf Puppet Play! Join our special guest puppeteers from the Waldorf School of Philadelphia for a wonderful puppet show. One show at 11am and again at 11:45am. "The Little Boy Who Wanted To Be Carried Along All The Time" is a poem written by F.Ruckert and adapted for use as a puppet play by Suse Konig. It's a sweet tale of a boy and the adventures he encounters and how nothing is quite right until he safe in his Mother's arms. For ages 12 months to 5 years old.

Saturday, November 21, 3:00pm. Robox Reading and Robot Party! with Mark Rogalski. Join Mark Rogalski and Big Blue Marble Bookstore for a robot party and book reading celebrating the new book Robox, a robot story and build-your-own-robot kit!

Sunday, November 22, 1:00pm. Archie and the Pirates Reading and Pirate Party! with Marc Rosenthal. Join us for a pirate party and reading from Marc Rosenthal's newest picture book.

Sunday, December 6, 2:00pm. The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus Reading/Kids' Event with Charles Santore. Join Big Blue Marble Bookstore in our cafe for milk and cookies and a reading by Charles Santore from his new book about all the adventures of Santa Claus. We'll have some art to color too!

FOR YOUNG ADULTS (AND ADULTS!):

Thursday, October 29, 7:00pm. Liar Conversation with Justine Larbalestier. Liar is a psychological thriller set in New York City told from the point of a compulsive liar who promises that this time there will be no more lies. Justine Larbalestier is the author of the Magic or Madness trilogy and How to Ditch Your Fairy. She is married to author Scott Westerfeld and divides her time between Sydney, Australia, and New York City. Justine blogs daily at www.justinelarbalestier.com/blog.

Friday, November 6, 7:00pm. Sugarless Reading with James Magruder. “Magruder is a writer of immense gifts, with a voice —smart, playful, lyrical, subtle, unsparing —utterly unlike anyone else’s.”—Tony Kushner, playwright of Angels in America. Things look bad for Rick Lahrem, a high school sophomore in a cookie-cutter Chicago suburb in 1976. His mother’s second husband is a licensed psychologist who eats like an ape, his stepsister is a stoner slut, and his father is engaged to a Southern belle. Rick’s only solace is his growing collection of original Broadway-cast LPs, bought on the sly at Wax Trax. After he brings two girls in speech class to tears by reading a story aloud, Rick is coaxed onto the interscholastic forensics team to perform an eight-minute dramatic interpretation of The Boys in the Band, the controversial sixties play about homosexuality. Unexpectedly successful at this oddball event, Rick begins winning tournaments and making friends with his teammates.

Thursday, November 19, 7:00pm. Big Blue Young Adult Readings and Discussion with Catherine Gilbert Murdock and Delia Sherman. Catherine Gilbert Murdock is the author of the Dairy Queen trilogy, featuring the determined D.J. Schwenk, which comes to its conclusion in the brand new Front and Center. Catherine is local to the Philly area and is also the author of the fantasy Princess Ben. Delia Sherman is the author of Changeling, the story of Neef, the official mortal changeling of Central Park, and its recently released sequel The Magic Mirror of the Mermaid Queen. She is also co-editor of the "interstitial fiction" collections Interfictions and Interfictions 2 (due out November 3).

FOR PARENTS:

Wednesday, October 28, 10:30am. Paying For Your Child's Education Financial Seminar with Edward Jones Financial Group. Parents, stop by for this free seminar from the folks at Edward Jones Financial Group that details how you can create a financial plan to pay for your children's education through the years.

Thursday, November 5, 7:00pm. Raising a Left-Brain Child in a Right-Brain World Reading with Dr. Katharine Beals. Bright, eccentric, and often socially awkward, so-called left-brain children often have talents and inclinations that lean heavily toward the logical, linear, analytical, and introverted side of the human psyche--what is commonly referred to as the "left brain"--as opposed to the "right brain" which is our emotional, holistic, intuitive, and extroverted side. Left-brain kids are often found on the margins of the classroom and the playground, the ones who tend not to fit in with their peers but have rich interior and intellectual lives. Join us for an evening with Dr. Katharine Beals whose research and interviews with parents and children, has led to a new understanding of left-brain kids and practical strategies for nurturing and supporting them, both at school and at home.

All events take place at Big Blue Marble Bookstore in our cafe, 551 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19119 (right near the Weavers Way Co-op). All events are free and open to everyone.

Philly Spells Writing Center Presents "Write Your Own Fairy Tale!"

You may have heard of bestselling author Dave Eggers (What is the What, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) or you may have heard of his excellent writing center in the Mission district of San Francisco, 826 Valencia, that gets kids ages 6-18 excited about writing and helps teachers inspire their students in the literary arts.

The creativity and inspiration of both Eggers and 826 Valencia is heading to Philadelphia in the form of Philly Spells Writing Center, a wonderfully welcoming, unabashedly wacky world of self-expression. Their mission is to excite young people about all forms of writing through wacky and wonderful programs. They open their physical space in 2010 but offer free workshops throughout the year to the public, schools, and youth-based programs. They'll be working hard throughout the city to raise funds to open the center, but in the meantime Germantown Avenue parents can support the cause right in our own neighborhood!

“Once upon a time, a little boy lived in a big city, on a medium-sized street, in a tiny house. One summer afternoon, he walked out of his front door…”

And THEN what happened?

Bring your budding – or resistant – writers to finish this story or start one of their very own! Join Spells for Write Your Own Fairy Tale, a free wonderful and wacky writing workshop. Led by educator and author Angelina Sciolla, the program culminates with each child writing a unique timeless tale.

SPELLS WRITING CENTER PRESENTS
Write Your Own Fairy Tale
Saturday, July 11, 2009
2pm-4pm
Big Blue Marble Books
551 Carpenter Lane
Cost: Free!*
Best for children in grades 2-6, but open for all ages.

*Space is limited! Call 267-670-0869 or email write@phillyspells.org to reserve yours now. And please check out their fabulous website for event updates, information on writing programs, and how to donate to this wonderful new writing venture!

Mt. Airy Kids' Literary Festival- This Weekend!

Greetings Germantown Avenue Parents!

I'm Maleka Fruean, the events coordinator at Big Blue Marble Bookstore and mama of two children in the Germantown neighborhood. I'd like to invite you all to the biggest book event for kids in the Northwest- the Mt. Airy Kids' Literary Festival. It's completely free, has events and activities for toddlers/preschoolers all the way up to young adults, and will take place all this weekend. The entire festival will take place at the Big Blue Marble Bookstore. See the fully updated schedule below:

Friday, April 17

4:00pm - Afterschool Plantings with Mark Goodman!
Kids get to help spruce up the Big Blue Marble Bookstore's porch with help from Mark Goodman, owner of Earthcraft Landscaping, based in Mt. Airy.

7:00pm - Reading and Concert with Baby Loves Jazz author Andy Blackman Hurwitz and special musical guests.

Saturday, April 18

10:30am - Eco Kids Earth Cooking Experience with Atsuko Quirk.

Let your little ones explore a simple hands-on cooking experience with Atsuko Quirk, author of Tiny Hands Cooking: Complete Guide to Cooking With Kids 1 to 3 Years Old and founder of the Eco Kids Playgroup, which teaches preschoolers about healthy and nutritious ways to have fun with food. We'll make "cookie cut-out veggie salad"! You can cut out veggies in all kinds of shapes with cookie cutters. Heart, bear, airplane... make your own salad with your favorite shapes!

12:00pm - Juggles the Clown and his special clown show.

1:00pm - Storytelling with Debra Johnson.
2:00pm - Reading with Betty Tatham, author of Penguin Chick.

3:00pm - Jump Rope Making with the Waldorf School of Philadelphia/Bookmark Making with Big Blue Marble.

Outside on the sidewalk join the Waldorf community in making very cool jump ropes with yarn. (This activity depends on the weather.) In our community room we'll be making your own special bookmarks for keeping in all your favorite books. We'll be using lots of different materials!

4:00pm - Reading with Tonya Cherie Hegamin, author of M+O 4EVR and Most Loved in All the World: A Story of Freedom.

Sunday, April 19

11:00 - Storytelling with Milt Cohen.

12:00pm - Bookmark Making with Big Blue Marble.
Join us again on Sunday for a lunch time craft. In our community room we'll be making your own special bookmarks for keeping in all your favorite books. We'll be using lots of different materials!

1:00 - Reading with Rebekah Barlow Rounce, author of Pancakes with Chocolate Syrup.

2:00 - Reading with Anne Sibley O'Brien, co-author of After Ghandi: One Hundred Years of Nonviolent Resistance.

Hope to see you and the kids there for this weekend of fun!

-Maleka

Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia(Mt. Airy), PA 19119, 215-844-1870

Let's Read (in our pajamas): PJ Storytime at Falls of Schuylkill Library

Wearing your pajamas while reading a book?  What could be more natural?
When I told my 3 year old that we were going to a pajama party at the library, she shrieked with glee.  Wearing pajamas outside of the house feels like one is breaking a taboo.  It also feels relaxing and comfortable!  This particular party took place on a Wednesday evening at the Falls of Schuylkill branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, in the East Falls section of the city.

Thanks to a calendar mailed to us by the children’s librarian, Liz, we were able to plan for this activity.  And as a parent who works outside the home, I appreciate the evening opportunity to participate in child-centered activities.  The children’s basement-level story room at the Falls’ library is very welcoming, with a colorful floor rug and engaging animal paintings on the wall.  3-D vines hang down from the ceiling, adding to the jungle-like atmosphere.

Liz is engaging and endearing, and she started out by reading Ezra Jack Keats’ The Snowy Day about Peter, the child who learns about the temporal nature of snowballs.  After Liz read a few more beautifully illustrated books about snow, winter, and bundling up, she invited us to do a little stretching/yoga, and I commented to my friend how wonderful it felt to stretch.  Afterwards, we had some time upstairs to choose our own books and play on the computers.

My only regret was neglecting to wear my own pjs!

The Falls of Schuylkill Branch of the Free Library is at 3501 Midvale Avenue (Warden Dr. & Midvale Ave.)
Other activities for parents/caregivers and children this month are Toddler Storytimes on February 5th and 19th at 10:15 a.m. for toddlers ages 15 months – 2 years, a Preschool Storytime on February 10th at 10:15 a.m. for ages 3-5, and Mother Goose Storytime on February 24th at 10:15 for ages 6-15 months.  This month’s pj storytime takes place on February 18th at 7:00 p.m. for ages 2-6.  Please call to confirm activities before going because of the uncertainties of staffing that the library now faces.

Let's Read: William Jeannes Memorial Library

It is a bit farther up the road that some other libraries, but I think the drive to William Jeannes Memorial Library is completely worth it.  (And I usually head up Stenton Avenue to Joshua Road for the scenic route through farm land).  

Jeannes' story times are nothing short of amazing. They are down in the basement, but it is a very large room and you can enter it directly from a door at the back of the library.  Add your kids' names to the list on the table and there will be a name tag for them the next time you visit, a circle they can wear proudly around their neck.

 

The librarians do a wonderful job and even include a little craft at the end of each reading. The stories are usually themed and include songs and visuals, such as a felt board.  There is even a puppet named Lucy who participates in the activities!  The librarian is very animated and understanding of the kids, really someone straight out of Mr. Roger's neighborhood (and I mean that in the best of ways).

This is obviously not an activity that is thrown together at the last minute.  These story times are very well planned and carried out.  Yesterday's theme was leaves and fall.  Lucy (the puppet) started with a conversation with the librarian (Miss Linda) about who had found the biggest leaf, as they went through some different leaves found outside.  Three leaf-related books were read, between songs like "The Leaves Are Falling Down."  The kids then went to some tables to decorate trees with different colored paper leaves.

If you have little ones who are not in school yet, this is great preparation for future school days and is just plain fun.  It really is like a school lesson; it's amazing we get to bring our kids for free!

After the story time, head upstairs to the children's section of the library.  It is nice, large space with three circle tables and kid-sized chairs for children to sit at.  They have stacks of great puzzles and a few toys for kids to play with.  There is even a rocking chair for those tired moms and babies.

There is also a great section of cloth activity bags available for checkout.  Each bag contains a book, a related stuffed animal, and a tape, all with the same theme (such as whales).  You can check these out for two weeks.   

The grounds around this library are also great. We even suggest making a day of this trip and bringing a picnic lunch to eat outside afterwards, under one of their beautiful cherry trees. There is also a nice grove of pine trees that kids love to play in, a fun "hideaway" for them.

So, if you want to check out a new library, I highly recommend Jeannes.  Tomorrow (Fri. Oct. 24th) is the perfect time to try it out; there will be a special event, Puppets Pizazz, at 4:00pm.  There will be non-scary Halloween puppets.  Or, go on Saturday for Makin' Music at 11:00am.  

If you can't make it this week, check out Jeannes next week for some special days:  Wed. Oct 29th and Thurs. Oct. 30th -- all story times will be Halloween-themed.  Children are encouraged to come in costume and treats will be handed out.  (You may also bring some treats if you like).

Jeannes Library is not part of the Philadelphia Free Library system; it is part of Whitemarsh Township.  You can, however, use your free library card there.  You will need to fill out a new form, but you won't need to be issued a different card.    

4051 Joshua Road, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444
610.828.0441
map

Full Calendar of Events

Fall Story Times:
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:15 am: "Mother Goose on the Loose"(1-30 mo.)
Tuesdays at 11:15am and Thursdays at 1:30pm -- 3-5 yr olds
Wednesdays at 10:15am and Thursdays at 11:15am -- 2 1/2-3 1/2 yr olds (Miss Linda and "Lucy")
NEW:  Wednesdays at 4:00pm -- 3-6 yr olds
Bedtime Story times: 3rd Tuesday of each mo. at 7pm for 3-7 yr olds

Let's Play: The Plymouth Meeting Mall

Some of the following post is a re-posting of one of our earliest entries, entitled "Rainy Day Solutions," but there is a lot of new information and news about amazing features coming soon to the mall, so don't skip it!

Are you running out of ideas for places to take the kids?  Especially on those dreary, rainy days?And we all know it will be to cold soon to frequent area play grounds and parks, so we need to start preparing to visit some indoor attractions too.

So, here is an idea for you:  Plymouth Meeting Mall.  Yes, it's a mall. But, more importantly, it is a mall with a beautiful carousel, an enchanting fountain, a free futuristic kids' game and much more to come! Just the kind of distractions you need for your little ones. Start out at the food court entrance to eat or enjoy a ride (or 10) on the carousel and then head down to your left to the other end of the mall where you will find a huge, lit fountain.

The carousel is an amazing, two-story structure complete with rocking benches for moms with babies and spinning teacups for your older, adventurous kids.  (Take my word for it; don't eat your cheese steak and immediately afterwards agree to join your child in the tea cup.  Not a good idea.) At $2.00 a ride, it's a great deal for the smiles it will put on your kids' faces.  We just wish you good luck getting them off of it.

And the light and water show of the fountain will entertain your little ones and give you a break for a while. They love to watch the water slowly rising up,up, almost to the ceiling! And they'll want to make a wish, of course, so bring your pennies!

If you're looking for another free way to entertain young and older kids, head over to the Starbucks kiosk and you will see an amazing treat on the floor behind it.  There is a large rectangle projected onto the floor that rotates through different video-like games.  And it is interactive!  And totally free!  Stand on it and use your feet to play the games.  The games range from kicking balls around to racing cars on a track.  You might even enjoy it; it is pretty cool!

And, if that isn't enough fun for you, there is the new Dave and Buster's across from the fountain, a huge arcade, bar, and restaurant with ride-on games that make you feel like you are really racing a car, skiing down a mountain, or kayaking through river rapids.  (Their food is yummy too.)  Minors must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 25.  This is a great place to plan events also.  Visit Dave and Buster's on Halloween to play for 1/2 price!

And you won't believe what is about to park itself near the food court (some time in "fall/holiday 2008"):  Krazy City.  I have never personally been to one, but I have to say after viewing the website, it looks pretty crazy.  It will be a two-level indoor theme park for children age 3-14.  

Krazy City will contain an arcade, lit bowling alley, a black light miniature golf course with an underwater theme, a prehistoric dig area, an interactive soft ball maze where kids can shoot these balls out of guns and cannons, and mining for gemstones in a stream.  Can you believe this place?  There will even be some of the smaller amusement park-type rides!  And, of course, a restaurant, in case your kids have time to remember that they are hungry.

Make sure to stop by the Customer Service Center in the mall during October for "Think Pink," which includes free give-aways of shopping bags and shower cards to educate women on breast health.  Also, stop by  Boscov's in the mall tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 7th) for "Friends Helping Friends."  This is an event that will be held from 9am-9pm and the proceeds will go to non-profit organizations.  These local organizations will be selling 25% tickets for just $5!  Boscov's will provide food demos, special sale prices on clothing and appliances, and prizes.  "School of Rock" will be providing the entertainment!

Don't have a great place to trick or treat on Halloween?  Visit the mall for their annual Mall O Ween Trick or Treat event, from 5:30-7:30pm on Halloween.

Some other additions to Plymouth Meeting Mall to look for: 

 

A new Borders Express on the lower level to open mid-October. 

The largest Whole Foods in the area, with roof-top cafe, to open spring 2009.

Underground parking with more than 350 spaces to be finished in spring 2009. 

The mall's site even has an interactive map so that you can get a visual of where these places are before you leave the house.

The mall is located at:  500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462.  

It is open Monday through Saturday 10am – 9:30pm Sunday 11am – 6pm
610.825.9351
map

Your Turn:  Click the "comment" link below and let us know what you think of these new mall additions.  A good idea?  Too much?  Are you annoyed by all the construction?  What do you think about the idea of Krazy City?  Exciting or crazy?  We want to hear from you!  And come back by here to respond to other readers' opinions!

Let's Read: The Big Blue Marble Bookstore

Are you tired of the same old big, chain bookstore?  Then it's time for a visit to The Big Blue Marble Book Store in Mt. Airy.

This is a wonderfully quaint little shop right next to the Weaver's Way Co-op.  There is only on-street parking and it does sometimes get crowded in this area, so walking might be nice if you're close by.

 

The children's section is small, but fabulous, set down from the rest of the shop with plenty of toys for kids to play with and a kid-sized table to accommodate little readers.  They have a great selection of books and other products, such as "Knuffle Bunny" shirts for kids.  The staff is also very friendly and knowledgeable about the books they carry.

The Big Blue Marble specializes in "progressive and multicultural titles of interest to Philadelphians in general and Mt. Airy-ites in particular: children’s books; woman-centered pregnancy and parenting; sustainable living; lesbian/gay, African-American, and Jewish studies; feminist science fiction; literary graphic novels; and smart, fun fiction."

After perusing through the titles downstairs, take a minute to wander up to the second-floor book section that borders a full cafe serving coffees, teas, and desserts.  The kids will be entertained by the colorful foam seating on the floor for them to lounge on or run around in circles on, as my son did.  Or, they can cook up a meal for you at the adorable wooden toy kitchen.

If the weather is nice, follow the back door out to a private deck with seating to enjoy your book and coffee or tea.  There is just enough room for the little ones to roam around happily, but safely, as well.

The story time on Thursday has been small lately, but the story teller is engaging, fun, and very understanding of distracted children.  She is flexible and happy to read a book pulled off a shelf by a child.  She obviously knows children's books well and reads them like a true story teller.  

If you have you have a bigger kid at home, he or she can go to the Big Blue Marble on the fourth Thursday of the month for the Big Blue YA Book Discussion.

Baby Group: Tuesdays at 10:00am -- An informal gathering of babies (and parents) playing, reading, and hanging out.

Story Time: Thursdays at 11:00am

Open Mon- Wed 10-7, Thurs 10-8, Fri 10-9

New Weekend Hours:  Open Sat. and Sun. 10-5

Located at 551 Carpenter Lane Philadelphia, PA 19119 

215.844.1870
map

Let's Read: What's the Story?

There are tons of libraries around, most with scheduled story times for kids. So, which ones are worth it? Which ones feature old women reading books while they yell at our kids to sit down? Here's the story:


Philadelphia Free Library -- Chestnut Hill Branch
8711 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19118-2716 (Germantown Ave. & Bethlehem Pike)
215.248.0977
map

Story time: Tuesdays at 10:30-11:15 am (for children 18 mo.-3 yrs).
Children's Librarian Ms. Klemas reads stories, sings songs, and leads the children in finger rhymes. Parking is available in paid lot off Bethlehem Pike -- tickets validated at library circulation desk.

Ms. Klemas is relatively new to this location, but is doing a fantastic job. She is very upbeat and great with the kids. This one can get crowded, but there is plenty of room and cookies afterwards! If you have a stroller, make sure you come in at the side entrance (the left side of the building). You can come up the ramp and even leave your stroller outside if you want.

*There will be no story times for the majority of September. They will resume on Sept. 30th.


Borders Book Store in Chestnut Hill
8701 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19118
215.248.1213
map

Story time every Monday at 11:00 am
open to all ages



This is a nice story time at a beautiful Borders location. The story time takes place on the second floor next to the cafe. So, grab a coffe before or after or even drink while you watch your bigger kids enjoying the stories. This one can also sometimes be crowded, so get there early to get a good spot on the floor. And remember that you will be coming up an elevator, so you will do better without a large stroller if you can help it.



The Big Blue Marble Book Store in Mt. Airy
551 Carpenter Lane Philadelphia, PA 19119
215.844.1870
map

Baby Group: Tuesdays at 10:00am -- An informal gathering of babies (and parents) playing, reading, and hanging out.
Story Time: Thursdays at 11:00am

This is a great little book store right next to Weaver's Way Co-op. There is only on-street parking and it does sometimes get crowded in this area, so walking might be nice if you're close by. The children's section is small, but fabulous, set down from the rest of the shop with plenty of toys for kids to play with and a kid-sized table to accomodate little readers. They have a great selection of books and a cafe upstairs. The staff is also very friendly.

Our review of the story time will be posted soon.

Jeannes Library – Lafayette Hill

4051 Joshua Road, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444
610.828.0441
map

Fall Story Times (starting Sept. 9th):
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:15 am: "Mother Goose on the Loose"
(1-30 mo.)
Tuesdays at 11:15am and Thursdays at 1:30pm -- 3-5 yr olds
Wednesdays at 10:15am and Thursdays at 11:15am -- 2 1/2-3 1/2 yr olds

Bedtime Storytimes: 3rd Tuesday of each mo. at 7pm for 3-7 yr olds

These story times are nothing short of amazing. They are down in the basement, but it is a very large room. The librarians do a wonderful job and even include a little craft at the end of each reading. The stories are usually themed and include songs and visuals.

The grounds around this library are also great. We even suggest making a day of this trip and bringing a picnic lunch to eat outside afterwards, under one of their beautiful cherry trees. There is also a nice grove of pine trees that kids love to play in, a fun "hideaway" for them.

Plymouth Meeting Barnes and Noble
The Metroplex, 2300 Chemical Road
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
610.567.2900
map

Story time: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10.30am
Both for pre-school (ages 3-6) and beginning readers (ages 5-8)

Our review will be posted soon.