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Storytimes

We have lots of fun at library storytime!

We hear stories, sing songs, play games, laugh with puppets and meet new people. Trained children's staff will demonstrate ways parents and caregivers can share books and language with children, to encourage a lifelong love of reading.

All storytimes are free. Only some require registration.

Storytime listing by Branch:

Storytime resources

Make Storytime a Family Habit

Here are some helpful hints to make storytime a positive experience for you and your child.

Be prepared to let your hair down and have fun! Be an active participant at storytime because your child will pattern his or her behaviour after yours
Don't forget your library card. Library cards are free and the library encourages families to apply for cards for their children.
Borrow books. Weekly borrowing helps your child develop a love of stories and reading.
Please remain in the storytime room with your child during the program. This is the parent's opportunity to learn some new songs, stories, and rhymes that you can share and repeat with your child at home.
Talk to your child about going to storytime. Be positive and enthusiastic about the fun you will have. Let your child know that there will be times to join in the songs and finger plays and times to sit quietly and listen to the story.
On some days your child may not be in the mood to sit and listen. If your child does become disruptive, please take a moment to leave the room and settle your child until he/she is ready to join the group again.
These caregiver-child storytimes are not designed to accommodate large groups. To schedule a storytime for a daycare or preschool group, please contact the children's staff at your local library.
It is important to arrive on time and participate in the opening activities for each storytime. Allow time for parking and getting nametags.
Ask the library staff to recommend the best books for your child and family.
Library storytimes are an excellent introduction to English, and knowledge of English is not required to attend storytimes.

There are Many Different Kinds of Storytimes:

Baby Time

Join us for 30 minutes of FUN in a supportive environment where you will learn some new songs, play some simple bouncing and tickling rhymes, and learn circle activities that help develop large and fine motor skills. This program encourages bonding, promotes early speech and language development and is also a chance to meet others and learn about the community and library.

Toddler Tales

Join us for 30 minutes of FUN with stories, songs, puppets, fingerplays and movement rhymes. Toddlers are filled with curiosity. They are just beginning to learn about basic concepts like colours and shapes, and they are developing a sense of humour and story sequencing. This program will enrich your child's imagination and help build language skills while having fun with words.

Preschool Storytime

Join us for 30 minutes of FUN with songs, puppets, circle games and of course favourite stories. Children will be introduced to group participation, and caregivers will learn some songs and rhymes to share with their children at home. This program is an opportunity for children to mature socially and developmentally in preparation for school.

Family Storytime

Turn off the cartoons and join us for 30 minutes of FUN with favourite songs, stories, puppets, rhymes and circle games. Storytimes help children enrich their imaginations and build a lifelong love of reading. This program promotes language and social development and is a fun way for caregivers to learn new songs and stories to share at home.
This is a drop-in program, and no registration is required.

Pyjama Storytime

Come in pyjamas with your favourite cuddly for 30 minutes of FUN stories, songs, puppets and action rhymes. This is a perfect bedtime activity for the whole family.
This is a drop-in program, and no registration is required.

Man in the Moon / Daddy Storytime
A special program for men and babies (birth to 24 mo.) offering dads and other male caregivers an opportunity to bond with a little one through songs, stories and puppets.

School Age Storytime
Stories and songs for ages 5+. These storytimes for older children focus on fun, and help develop their literacy skills and a life-long love of reading.

Cloverdale:

Pyjama Storytime (all ages)
Tuesdays in May, 6.30 - 7.00pm
May 8, 15, 22, and 29. Drop in!
Babytime (birth - 2 years)
Wednesdays, 11:00 - 11:30
February 1 - March 7 (registration begins Jan 18)
April 4 - May 9 (registration begins Mar 12)
Registration required. Call 604-598-7326.
Family Storytime (all ages)
Fridays, 10:00-10:30 am
January 6 - June 29
Drop in.

Fleetwood:

Family Storytime (all ages)
Fridays, 10:00-10:30 and 11:30-12:00
January 6 - June 29 (none April 6)
Drop in
Pyjama Storytime (all ages)
Wednesdays, 7:00-7:30 pm
January 4 - June 27
Drop in
Babytime (birth - 18 mo)
Tuesdays, 10:30 - 11:00 am
January 3 - 24 (registration begins Dec 1)
April 3 - 24 (registrations begins March 1)
Registration required. Call 604-598-7347.
Toddler Time (18 mo - 3 yr)
Thursdays, 10:30 - 11:00 am
January 5 - 26 (registration begins Dec 1)
April 5 - 26 (registration begins March 1)
Registration required. Call 604-598-7347.
Preschool Storytime (3-5 yr)
Wednesdays, 11:30 - 12:00
January 4 - 25 (registration begins Dec 1)
April 4 - 25 (registration begins March 1)
Registration required. Call 604-598-7347.
Man in the Moon / Daddy Storytime (birth - 24 mo)
Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 pm
April 19 - June 7 (registration begins March 15)
To register contact Victor: 604-501-5844 vcor@surrey.ca

Guildford:

Family Storytime (all ages)
Thursdays, 10:30 - 11:00 am
January 5 - June 28
Drop in
Pyjama Storytime (all ages)
Mondays, 6:30 - 7:00 pm
January 2 - June 25 (none April 9, May 21)
Drop in
Baby Bears (birth - 12 mo)
10:30 - 11:00 am
Fridays February 3 - March 30 (registration begins Jan 4)
Wednesdays April 4 - May 30 (registration begins Mar 21)
Registration required. Call 604-598-7369.
Little Bears (1-2 1/2 yr)
10:30-11:00 am
Wednesdays February 1 - 29 (registration begins Jan 4)
Fridays April 13 - May 4 (registration begins Mar 6)
Registration required. Call 604-598-7369.
Big Bears (2 1/2 - 5 yr)
Tuesdays, 10:30 - 11:00 am
February 7 - 28   (registration begins Jan 4)
April 3 - 24   (registration begins Mar 6)
Registration begins Sept 12   Call 604-598-7369.

Newton:

Family Storytime: (all ages)
Thursdays, 1:30 - 2:00 pm
January 5 - June 28
Drop in
Babytime (birth - 2 years)
Wednesdays, 10:45 - 11:15 am
January 11 - February 15 (registration begins Dec 7)
March 7 - April 11
Registration required. Call 604-598-7408.
PJ Storytime (all ages)
Tuesdays, 7:15 - 7:45 pm
January 10 - June 19
Drop in

Ocean Park:

Baby Time: (birth – 24 months)
Wednesdays, 10:00-10:30 am
January 4 - March 28 (registration begins Dec 14)
April 4 - June 6 (registration begins March 14)
Registration required. Call 604-502-6449.

Jammie Time (ages 3-5)
Tuesdays, 6:30 - 7:00 pm
January 3 - June 26
Drop in
Pajama Jam (ages 6 and up)
Tuesdays, 7:15 - 7:45 pm
January 3 - June 26
Drop in

Family Storytime: (all ages)
Thursdays, 10:00-10:30 am
January 5 - June 28

Wednesdays, 2:00-2:30 pm
January 4 - June 27
Drop in.

Port Kells:

Family Storytime (all ages)
Tuesdays 10:30 - 11:00 am
February 7 - March 13
April 3 - May 8
Drop in.

Semiahmoo:

Pyjama Storytime (all ages)
Mondays 7:00 - 7:30 pm
January 9 - June 25 (none Jan 2, April 9, May 21)
Drop in
Wiggles, Tickles & Rhymes for Babies & Tots (birth - 23 mo)
Tuesdays, 11:30 - 12:00
February 7 - 28 (registration begins Jan 3)
April 3 - 24 (registration begins Mar 5)
Registration required. Call 604-592-6907.
Tunes & Tales (ages 2 & up)
Thursdays, 10:00 - 10:30 am
February 2 - May 31 (registration begins Jan 3)
Registration required. Call 604-592-6907.

Strawberry Hill:

Family Storytime (all ages)
Fridays, 10:30-11:00 am
January 6 - June 29
Drop in
Pyjama Storytime (all ages)
7:00-7:30 pm Drop-in
Tuesdays, January 31, February 28, March 27, April 24, May 29, June 26
Wednesdays, January 4, February 1, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6
Little Lambs (birth - 30 mo)
Thursdays, 10:30 - 11:00 am
January 5 - May 10
Drop in

City Centre:

Baby Storytime (birth - 12 months)
Thursdays, 10:00-10:30 am
January 12 - May 31
Drop in
Toddler Time (13 - 36 months)
Wednesdays, 11:30-12:00 pm
January 11 - May 30
Drop in
Bedtime Storytime (all ages)
Tuesdays, 7:00 - 7:30 pm
January 10 - December 11
Drop in
School Age Stories (5-8 years old)
Thursdays, 3:30 - 4:00 pm
January 12 - February 16
April 12 - May 17
Drop in
If You Give a Kid a Muffin Storytime:
Weekly storytime with a nutritious snack!
Children (birth - 5 years) and their caregivers.
Fridays 10 - 10:30 am.
September 16 - December 16
January 13 - December 14
Drop in

Inspired by the favourite picturebook "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" this program brings together stories, healthy snacks, and flexible participation. Sponsored by Rotary Club of Surrey.