National Storytelling Week
Saturday 1 - Sunday 9 February
This fantastic annual event is a joyful celebration of the power of sharing stories. Stories teach us about the world, they allow us to step into someone else’s shoes and feel empathy, they help us to relax and escape and they can help develop essential literacy skills.
Idea Stores are celebrating National Storytelling Week with a week full of stories and storytelling. On each day of the week at our Idea Stores we will have a brilliant storyteller doing an afternoon session for pre-schoolers and an after-school session for families. Little ones can also join us for songs and movement at Cubitt Town and Bethnal Green Libraries.
Storytelling Week is a National Literacy Trust initiative. Discover a wealth of practical tips to help your child’s literacy journey, fun activities to try together as well as reassuring support and guidance on their Words for Life website. There you will find plenty of creative ways to nurture your child’s reading, speaking, listening and writing development at home.
Wendy Shearer: Caribbean Folktales
With a sprinkle of sunshine and a dash of sea breeze, join professional Storyteller Wendy Shearer for stories across the Caribbean sea. With grumpy geckos, wise lions and birds of a thousand colours.
Monday 3 February, 2pm and 4pm
Idea Store Chrisp Street
Minnie Wilkinson: The Lost Stories
Has anyone seen a story? No really, it was definitely here before. OK, nobody panic! It must be around somewhere...
Award-winning storyteller Minnie Wilkinson needs your help as she searches for tall tales to charm and delight, brought to life in her uniquely warm and characterful way.
Tuesday 4 February, 2pm and 4pm
Idea Store Watney Market
Friday 7 February, 2pm and 4pm
Idea Store Canary Wharf
Diana Redgrave: Takeaway a Tale
Join Diana in this session at 2pm for our youngest visitors with puppets music and play, where teeny tiny stories, songs and rhymes can be learnt and retold again at home.
For older children at 4pm; The Bogey Beast. Could a story be more valuable than a crock of gold? Come and hear this wonderful folktale about a very cheerful old woman and a shapeshifting trickster and learn how luck can all depend on your point of view.
Wednesday 9 February, 2pm and 4pm
Idea Store Bow
Chaz Bruce: Calling all story lovers
Meet Chaz for a day of story fun! Join us at 2pm for an early years (age 0-5) storytelling session where we will explore some books, movement, and songs together for a relaxed half hour. For older children at 4pm; come and hear an oral story brought to life away from the page, with lots of interaction and engagement opportunities throughout. Chaz loves a story - she hopes you do too!
Thursday 6 February, 2pm and 4pm
Idea Store Whitechapel
Creative Dance and Storytelling with Wee Movers
Join Wee Movers to explore the popular children's book Handa's Surprise by Eileen Browne. Starting with a yoga based warm-up we will delve into the story exploring the animals and themes through movement.
Thursday 6 February, 11am
Cubitt Town Library
Thursday 6 February, 2pm
Bethnal Green Library
Story Time
Monday-Saturday
10.30-11am
At All our Stores. Join in, make some noise and have fun with Story Time for under 5s!
If you are a Primary School or Nursery and would like to visit the story time session or just visit the library please email ideastore@towerhamlets.gov.uk so that we can host you.
