Every child, no matter how many, is special.

“Our parents contributed to the baby boom almost every year from 1945 to 1964. Who knows how many children there would be if World War II hadn’t erupted in which our father served for almost two years with the U.S. Army Medical Corps in Germany?”
Readers are treated in humorous detail to large-size family dynamics, which any size family will enjoy. Told through the eyes of author Stephen F. Gambescia and his siblings, Every child gives readers a nostalgic glimpse into the childhood years of sixteen children.


From the multiplicity of everyday events (recruiting “volunteers” to help with laundry, coordinating school lunches, food shopping or preparing meals), to the signature family-life events (hosting New Year’s Eve parties, terrorizing neighborhood kids with their version of a Halloween haunted house, preparing for Christmas dinner or vacationing at the Jersey shore), Stephen captures the profound blessings of a large family and how managing a larger-than-average family is a testimony to his parents’ amazing dedication, wisdom and self-sacrifice.

Read published excerpts below from

"Every child, no matter how many, is special."

The thrill of the Shore, even with all those siblings. The Philadelphia Inquirer, 14 June 2015

Shore memories: Getting there part of the fun. The Philadelphia Inquirer, 18 July 2004

Hoping mom gets double the graces. Delaware County Daily Times, 25 September 2015

A family tradition for Holy Thursday. The Philadelphia Inquirer, 2 April 2015. 


In a family with 16 kids, surviving Easter was a joy.  Delaware County Daily Times, 22 March 2016

Memorial Day memories---rain or shine. Delaware County Daily Times, 30 May 2016.


When New Year’s was still celebrated at home. The Philadelphia Inquirer, 31 December 2015


Remembering Easters Past Delaware County Daily Times 5 April 2018


Get us to the Jersey Shore-- Quick. The Smart Set 2 Sept. 2021

Are you from a double-digit size family? Send me your family's photo for a rolling "Wall of Honor."


In my presentations about growing up in  a big  family, I have a rolling set of  PPT slides showing big families.  This gives the audience a feel for the joy of the children and the countenance of dignity of these parents.


No family name will be shown. I don't use this to promote the book but to give testimony to all parents who raised these large-size families.


Send me a photo via email to sfg23@drexel.edu  Ideally send a photo when most of the children were young. Give family name and the town where your family is from. Spread the word...


Thank you!


Stephen F. Gambescia


Speaking Schedule


I am glad to come out to your group to talk about the book and to give you a behind the scenes look at what it was like to grow up in a big family. The direction is very flexible, given the wealth of  material.

sfg23@drexel.edu



Upcoming Speaking Engagements.


TBD
Former Speaking Engagements
  • Ancient Order of Hibernian of Havertown
  • Drexel University Student Catholic Medical Association
  • Radio Talk Show 1210AM Christine Flowers Show
  • Malvern Retreat House, Malvern, PA Upper McShane Hall
  • L.M. Valley Forge Lodge #1776 Grand Lodge of PA Sons and Daughters of Italy
  • “5-Minutes Holy Silence." How parents survived raising double-digit families. Frank Talks at the Pyramid Club in center city Philadelphia
  • Order Sons of Italy Ernest M. Strollo Lodge #683, Flourtown, PA
  • Bizzy Mamas-Be Social, Ardmore PA; with book signing.

La Dolce Vita University


My cousin, Carla Gambescia, is a frequent  visitor to Italy. Over the years she developed a love of Italy and specifically things that may not be so well known about the place. In her new book, La Dolce Vita University, she gives a collegiate level and entertaining rendition of what is really interesting about this warm and lovely country. You get the real liberal education as she moves from food, to fashion, to famous people--all in a fun and informative style. See her book available now at the link here!

Petal Power: Cherry blossoms fuel memories of spring & youth Delaware County Daily Times 21 May 2019