Rhyme & Story Times

 

Sharing books and stories with your baby or young child is a lovely way to spend time together. It helps children learn new words, understand sounds, and begin to love reading from an early age.


You can share rhyming books, picture books, story books with few or no words, and even information books. All of these help children learn, imagine, and feel close to you. These special moments help build strong bonds that last a lifetime.


At Newham Libraries, our Rhyme Time and Storytime sessions are fun, friendly, and free. Families come together to enjoy songs, stories, and rhymes in a safe and welcoming space, helping children grow happy, confident, and ready to learn.

 

 

Rhyme and Story Times

Times

Stratford Library
3 The Grove, E15 1EL
Tel: 0203 373 0826

Tuesdays 10-11am and Fridays 10-10:30am

Forest Gate Library
Woodgrange Road, E7 0QH
Tel: 020 3373 0856

Tuesdays 11-11:45am and 
Thursdays 9:30-10:15am

Plaistow Library
North Street, E13 9HN
Tel: 020 3373 0859

Wednesdays and Fridays 10-11am

Green Street Library
337-341 Green Street,
E13 9AR
Tel: 020 3373 0857

Tuesdays and Fridays 10:30-11:30am

East Ham Library
328 Barking Road E6 2RT
Tel: 020 3373 0827

Mondays and Wednesdays 
            10-10:30am

Manor Park Library
685-693 Romford Road E12 5AD
Tel: 020 3373 0858

Mondays and Wednesdays 10-11am

Canning Town Library
18 Rathbone Market, E16 1EH
Tel: 020 3373 0854

Tuesdays and Fridays 10.30-11am

Beckton Library
1 Kingsford Way, London E6 5JQ
Tel: 020 3373 0853

Every Tuesday 10:30-11am

Custom House Library 
Prince Regent Lane, E16 3JJ
Tel: 020 3373 0855

Thursdays 10:30-11am

North Woolwich Library 
5 Pier Parade, E16 2LJ
Tel: 020 3373 0843

Wednesdays 1:30-2:30pm

 

Why is sharing stories with children important?
Reading together is special time for children to be with a parent, carer, or family member. It helps them feel safe and loved.
Stories help children understand feelings.
Reading and talking about books helps children learn to listen, talk, and use new words.
Children learn new words for everyday life and for things they may not see at home.
Reading helps children concentrate and get ready for learning at school.
In the early years, holding books and turning pages helps babies and young children develop their hand and arm movements.
Sometimes pages may tear, and that is okay. It is part of learning how to use and look after books.

 

Books young children love to share
These books are fun and help children join in with sounds, actions, and words:
•    We’re Going on a Bear Hunt – Michael Rosen
•    The Gruffalo – Julia Donaldson
•    Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? – Bill Martin Jr.
•    We’re Going to Find the Monster – Malorie Blackman
•    Shark in the Park – Nick Sharratt
•    Dear Zoo – Rod Campbell
•    Ten in the Bed – Penny Dale
•    Baby Goes to Market – Atinuke
•    Oi Frog! – Kes Gray