Families Celebrate Reading and Learning Through Play at Please Touch Museum’s Book Faire

On Saturday, May 9, Please Touch Museum welcomed more than 3,000 visitors for Book Faire, a free community day celebrating reading, imagination, and learning through play.

Presented by Way Past Books, Book Faire brought together literacy organizations, performers, educators, volunteers, and community partners to help make books more accessible to children and families across the region.

Throughout the day, families explored the Museum, enjoyed performances and storytimes, connected with community partners, and selected from more than 5,000 gently used books distributed free of charge through a partnership with BookSmiles.

Celebrating Literacy and Local Partnerships

Author Hallee Adelman, founder of Way Past Books and presenting sponsor of the event, signed copies of her book Way Past Shame and connected with families throughout the day.

The Free Library of Philadelphia joined the celebration by helping families sign up for free library cards and offering information about library resources, while Read to Succeed shared information about literacy resources and family programming available throughout Philadelphia.

Performances and Hands-On Activities

Families enjoyed performances, storytimes, and interactive experiences throughout the Museum featuring local artists, educators, and performers. Participating groups and performers included students from the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), Philadelphia Young Playwrights, Noggin Hill, students from Moore College of Art & Design, and My Mother Once Read.

Programming throughout the day also featured fairytale-themed activities, collaborative writing workshops, live music, and hands-on creative experiences designed to inspire curiosity and a love of reading.

Thank You to Our Sponsors, Partners, and Volunteers

Please Touch Museum extends sincere thanks to presenting sponsor Way Past Books, BookSmiles for providing thousands of books for local families, supporting sponsor TD, as well as to all of the volunteers, performers, literacy partners, and community organizations who helped make the day possible.

Special thanks to Idealist, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Global Citizen, WEPAC, the World Affairs Council Youth Diplomats, Campus Apartments, and Bank of America for providing volunteers who supported families and activities throughout the day. Their support helped create a joyful and welcoming experience centered around literacy, creativity, and access to learning opportunities for children across the Philadelphia region.

Thank you to all the families who joined us for this special day of stories, play, and community.