Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Philadelphia, PA

I love going to story time at my local libraries. OK, that's not quite true. I love going to them now; initially, I felt like a freak because all the parents and nannies knew each other and no one spoke to me. Now, I may not have long conversations with anyone at the library but I no longer take it personally. Story times are just like that.

Where I live I'm about a ten minute drive from nearly a dozen local libraries, so we've visited quite a few different ones. I'm going to list my personal favorites, and ask for folks to suggest additional good ones you know about!

1. Springfield Township Library, Delaware County, Creative Babies. This story hour meets several times a week in six-week blocks. It lasts about 45 minutes, and there is a great space for play time before and after (and a nearby playground as well). They offer it twice on Mondays and Wednesdays (once at 10am and again at 11am) so you can stay for both if you like (it's also once on Thursdays). This is a very structured story time with songs and stories, and is held in a large room next to the children's section so kids can't run away. By far my favorite.

2. Lansdowne Public Library. Held Tuesday mornings at 10am, with a Pajama Storytime offered Wednesday evenings. This is a much less structured story hour, but the incredible warmth and enthusiasm of the children's librarian makes it fun for kids and parents. My local hood!

3. Haverford Public Library. They offer two storytimes--Wednesday mornings at 10, and a new Circle Time on Tuesdays with a playtime after. This is a really fun, laid back story time with a nice play area as well. Parking can be tough; the library's lot is TINY.

4. Bala Cynwyd Public Library. I will confess that I have not actually attended this library's story times--offered Wednesdays and Fridays--but when I wrote about story times on my blog, literally 40 people emailed me to tell me this is the BEST ONE EVER.

5. Walnut Street West. This Philadelphia library branch offers a fun story time Tuesday mornings at 11am. I have to say, the story time is not particularly outstanding (although they often include a craft, something other libraries don't do), but by FAR the friendliest parents are at this spot. Great place to meet other parents. Head over to nearby Clark Park first for an excellent playground too.

So, those are my suggestions. Where is your favorite storytime?