Children’s Day 2026: Freedom to Learn

🗓️ Date: August 22, 2026

🕠 Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

📍 Location: Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Background resembles a brown paper bag. Whimsical, child-like drawings of birds reading or carrying books, and sitting on bookshelves with different colored books. The text reads: "Join us for this kid-friendly, fun, free event! We believe that literacy is power. We are all unique and we all have something to say. This year’s Children’s Day will feature local author meet-and-greets, a hands-on bookmaking activity, a quiet room for rest and reflection, and resources from incredible partner organizations, Read by 4th and the PA Migrant Education Program – with everything centered around the freedom and right of all children to learn, create, and be curious. Multilingual titles will be available! Encuentra tu nuevo libro favorito!"

Join us for a Children’s Day event where we celebrate and reflect upon the Freedom to Learn! The event will feature local author meet-and-greets, a hands-on bookmaking activity, a quiet room for rest and reflection, and resources from incredible partner organizations: Read by 4th and the PA Migrant Education Program. Register now for this free event!

There will also be FREE GIVEAWAYS of brand-new, high-quality, hardcover children’s books. Multilingual titles will be available! A Book a Day takes great pride and joy in curating selections of diverse, beautifully illustrated children’s book titles that foster curiosity in both art and literacy. At this Children’s Day event, children will be able to choose from a wide variety of free books to take home! You can learn more about books we’ve previously shared with our community here.

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Background resembles a brown paper bag. Whimsical, child-like drawings of birds, and a window drawing that shows a photograph of author Christine Kendall. The text reads: "Christine Kendall writes fiction for children and adults. She grew up in a family of artists where everyone studied the piano along with one other instrument. She still feels sorry for the neighbors! Christine wasn’t any good on the piano or the clarinet, but she loved writing. Her short fiction has appeared in numerous literary journals and her debut novel, Riding Chance, (Scholastic, 2016) was nominated for a NAACP Image Award." There are also images of the covers of two of Christine's books: "Riding Chance"; and "The True Definition of Neva Beane", as well as Christine's website: www.christinerkendall.com

Christine Kendall: https://www.christinerkendall.com/

Background resembles a brown paper bag. Whimsical, child-like drawings of birds, and a window drawing that shows a photograph of author candice iloh. The text reads: "candice iloh is the award-winning author of young adult novels, Every Body Looking, Break This House, and Salt the Water. iloh is a first-generation Nigerian-American writer whose books center home, as well as an experienced educator, writing facilitator, and teaching artist." There are also images of the covers of two of candice's books: "Emeka, Eat Egusi!" and "Every Body Looking", as well as candice's website: www.candiceiloh.com

candice iloh: https://www.candiceiloh.com/

Background resembles a brown paper bag. Whimsical, child-like drawings of birds, and a window drawing that shows a photograph of artist Mugo Muna. The text reads: "Mugo Muna is an animator, filmmaker, and urban-sketcher, raised in Nairobi and based in Philadelphia. As an artist, he looks to explore the ways that images can help shape and move us closer to a better, more equitable world that we want to live in. When not making art, you can probably find him on his bicycle, searching for the best chocolate croissant in the city."

This event will take place in the Children’s Department of the Parkway Central Free Library, which is located on the ground floor.

Getting there: Parking kiosks are available on the streets surrounding the library. In addition to coins, bills and credit cards may be used for payment at these devices. The device issues a printed ticket you place inside your windshield curbside. There is a Philadelphia Parking Authority lot behind the library: Callowhill Street between 19th and 20th Streets: 215-683-9813.

Accessibility: The wheelchair accessible entrance is located at the rear entrance to the library on Wood Street. There are two designated handicapped parking spaces on Wood Street. Enter Wood Street from 19th Street and drive towards 20th Street. The handicapped spaces will be on your left just before the wheelchair ramp by the rear library entrance.

Reserve Your Free Tickets via Eventbrite

A Book a Day is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

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