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October was a busy month at Ballymun Library for children’s activities with many events organised in conjunction with Children’s Book Festival 2019 and Stemsational Saturdays’ activities for 8 to 12 year olds to name but a few.This time of year wouldn’t be complete without the Library’s dedicated Hallowe’en storytelling sessions for 0 to 4 year olds. These took place on the 29th of October at 10am and 11am, respectively. Most of the attendees dressed up for the occasion and had a spooktacular time.Millie Donnelly dressed as a witch at the Baby/Wobbler Hallowe’en Book Club. At the baby session, the book ‘Spot’s Spooky Fun’ by Eric Hill was read by Maria Sheahan (Librarian). Eric Hill has written many stories for babies including ‘Spot Says Goodnight’ and ‘Spot Goes to School’. This is a lovely story for babies and wobblers where Spot has the difficult task of deciding which costume he should wear for Hallowe’en. The group was captivated proving this story is a perfect Hallowe’en read for young babies. The Toddlers heard the story ‘Usborne Noisy Spooky Book’. As you can see from the photos, this book is always a big hit with small children! Isabella Forsyth is the dashing pumpkin and Amelia Sweeney is batgirl. They love hearing the creepy sound effects that go with the story and it’s a fun choice for grown-ups to read! Hallowe’en rhymes were also taught to the children after each storytelling session. Finally, toys and sweet treats were provided to complete the sessions.Ballymun Library’s Book Clubs for Younger Children will continue on a weekly basis on Tuesdays during November and early December.  The Baby/Wobbler Book Club (0 to 2 Year Olds) runs from 10.00am to 10.45am and the Toddler Book Club (2 Year Olds to pre-school age) runs from 11.00am to 11.45am.  No advance booking is necessary.Join us each week in making family reading a magical and fun experience! 

Baby, Wobbler and Toddler Book Clubs at Ballymun LibraryWe had a lovely session last Tuesday, 18th December with the Baby, Wobbler and Toddler book clubs. Everyone dressed up in Christmas jumpers and festive gear as we sang songs and read stories. Each of the children received a free book as well as stickers and jellies. The Baby/Wobbler Book Club read That’s Not My Snowman... which is part of the publisher Usborne’s series of tactile baby books.  The Toddler Book Club read the classic tale, Stick Man, by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. All of the chosen books are perfect Christmas reads for little ones.(That's Not My Snowman)                  (Stickman) (Our small and tall bookclub members)The book clubs are taking a break until Tuesday the 8th of January 2019 and will continue running weekly then.  Join us for more stories and fun in the New Year.See you all after Christmas.  Nollaig shona dhaoibh!!

If you’re a parent, grandparent or childminder and at a loose end on Tuesday mornings, why not join the staff at Ballymun Library for some stories, songs and fun?For several years now, we have been running book clubs suitable for babies to pre-schoolers. Give your children the opportunity to share their love of books and reading help create a strong reading culture in their lives. Each week, a different story is chosen and read by a Library staff member. Extra copies are made available for Book Club members to read at home. A song or rhyme follows the storytelling segment.  This activity is based on the book’s theme. Finally, toys are supplied giving the children an opportunity to play and socialise and the grown-ups a chance to chat. The book clubs run every Tuesday morning (excluding school holidays) as follows:Babies & Wobblers (0 to 2 Yrs): 11.00am to 11.45amToddlers (2 to Pre-school): 12.00pm to 12.45pm (Plenty of spaces available) No advance booking is necessary but attendance is limited to 10 children and adults.  Please come early to avoid disappointment. Books read so far include:Babies & Wobblers:     ‘Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes’ by Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury‘Where’s Teddy?’ And Dear Zoo’ By Rod Campbell‘What the Ladybird Heard?’ By Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks‘Spot Says Goodnight’ by Eric HillThat’s Not My Elephant....Toddlers:                 ‘Lulu Loves Stories’ by Anna McQuinn and Rosalind Beardshaw‘Princess Polly’s Potty’‘Guess How Much I Love You in the Autumn’ by Sam McBratney illustrated by Anita Jeram‘Betsy Goes to the Doctor’ by Helen Stephens‘Silly Dizzy Dinosaur’ by Jack Tickle‘The Three Little Pigs’ by Nick Sharratt and Stephen TuckerCLAPHANDIES PLAYLABSWe will also be running a special event on Tuesday the 30th of October instead of the Book clubs.  The organisation, Claphandies, will run playlabs for Babies, Wobblers and Toddlers.  The playlabs incorporate storytelling, songs and developmental play activities for children.  Attendance is free but pre-booking is essential.  The age-range of the Playlabs differs slightly and they will run as follows:Claphandies Playlabs for Babies and Wobblers (1 to 2 Years): 11.00am to 11.45amClaphandies Playlabs for Toddlers (2 to Pre-School): 12.00pm to 12.45pmBookings can be made in person, by phone or by email. Tel. (01) 842 1890; Email: [email protected] forward to seeing you soon!

The final sessions of book clubs for younger children aged 0-3 years took place in Ballymun Library on Tuesday 24th of July.  We celebrated by having a little party filled with lots of treats.The chosen book was ‘Not Just a Book...’ by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross.  This story teaches children and grown-ups how to enjoy books fully by using your imagination. It is written very cleverly with lots of funny illustrations that made us all laugh.  The tale encapsulates perfectly the pleasure family reading provides.This is what book clubs are all about!The book clubs will take a break during the summer months.  We’ll be back on Tuesday the 4th of September at the following times:Babies/Wobblers (0-1 Year Olds): 11.00am to 11.45amToddlers/Preschool (2 to 3 Year Olds): 12.00pm to 12.45pmPlease join us then.  No prior booking is required.Pictured from left to right: Amy Anslow (Mum), Felix Stewart (baby), Erin Egan (baby) and her Mums, Sarah Mason and Jennifer Egan