A grandmother and child share a trip to the city to visit the museum and buy ingredients for pasteles, the traditional Puerto Rican Christmas delicacy.

A young boy uses his speedy typing skills to stand up to injustice.

A dreary, rainy day can’t prevent Jazmin from having her own – boom walla boom boom! – parade of one.

You can read these stories and more in the work of renowned picture book author and illustrator, Eric Velasquez. The son of Afro-Puerto Rican parents, Mr. Velasquez grew up in Harlem and writes about growing up straddling different cultures and language communities. He was awarded the 2011 Pura Belpré Award for Illustration for his book Grandma’s Gift, and his books Looking for Bongo, The Other Mozart: The Life of the Famous Chevalier de Saint-George, and As Fast as Words Could Fly have won special acclaim by adults and children alike. (And as fans of libraries, we especially love his newest book with Carole Boston Weatherford, Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library!)

On October 23 and 24, Mr. Velasquez will be visiting a number of Free Library of Philadelphia locations. You can visit with him as he shares his stories and creative process. (Classes and groups, please call the library ahead of time to ensure there is space for your group.)

Monday, October 23rd
10:00 a.m. Wynnefield Library ǀ 5325 Overbrook Avenue ǀ 215-685-0298  

11:30 a.m. Overbrook Park Library ǀ 7422 Haverford Avenue ǀ 215-685-0182

1:30 p.m. Haverford Library ǀ  5543 Haverford Avenue ǀ 215-685-1964

Tuesday, October 24
10:00 a.m. Oak Lane Library ǀ 6614 North 12th Street ǀ 215-685-2848

11:30 a.m. David Cohen Ogontz Library ǀ  6017 Ogontz Avenue ǀ  215-685-3566