Manchester Libraries October Children & Families Newsletter

Jump onboard to get reading with Read Manchester 

Read Manchester and Transport for Greater Manchester have created a reading map for young readers in the city, aimed at 8-11 year olds.  We know that it can be hard to know which book to read next, so this map will help children get ideas for where to go next on their reading journey. Inspired by the Metrolink tram map, there are lines for many genres of interest and is designed to help children keep (or get their reading back) on track.  All of the books are available to borrow from Manchester Libraries in either physical or digital format.

The map can also be downloaded here.

Celina and the Spider Storytime 

Part of: Black History Month at HOME 2020

When Asae Ya the Earth Mother, Nyame the Sky God, and Brother Death come to Anansi the Spider with a problem, the trickster’s usual genius strikes. They pay a visit to their best friends, Celina the Moon Goddess and make a plan to help their elders – with a healthy dose of mischief! Join Anansi and Celina, as together they hatch a plot to have some Halloween fun….and change the world forever…

Tickets are available on a pay-what-you-can basis. Find all the information you need here.

Don't miss our Library Storytimes

As we head into autumn there’s even more reason to snuggle up with a good book!  Almost all of our libraries are open for book borrowing, so head on down there and stock up with new books.  You can enjoy storytimes from our Libraries virtually too.  Why not join us on Facebook every Tuesday at 11.00 am for your regular dose of stories and tales from a local library? This week it’s Miriam reading Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! by Bob Barner (Chronicle Books).

Check here for library opening times.

STEM Club Online

Every Saturday at 11am - Manchester Libraries Facebook Page

Check out some Inspirational Black innovators in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) that we should all know about!  

17th October - Highlighting mathematician Katherine Johnson, - unsung hero of NASA and the space race. Join Angela and Siobhan as they illustrate coding without a computer!

24th October - Highlighting Granville Wood, inventor and electrical engineer who made key contributions to the development of the telephone and then follow our simple instructions to make a string telephone.

E-audio books - say goodbye to queues with this one!

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Suitable for Young Adults aged 13+

Award winning author, Patrick Ness delivers an extraordinarily moving novel about coming to terms with loss.

The monster showed up after midnight. As they do. But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting. He’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming… This monster is something different though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.  It wants the truth.

Enjoy this E-audiobook instantly with BorrowBox.

Create your own virtual Halloween Masked Ball

Sat 31st October, 12pm Manchester Libraries Facebook Page

Join our very own Angela and Siobhan from the comfort of your own home as they create a healthy Halloween virtual monsters’ feast. They’ll show you how to make a healthy feast fit for any monster or ghoul.  Get in the spirit of things by having a go at our face painting masterclass or masks, then get creepy and crafty when we show you how to make mandarin pumpkins and healthy Halloween skeletons.

Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) Family Crafts 

Saturday 7 November, 1:30-3pm

Join us at Central Library as we celebrate the special ancient Mexican celebration Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead). Officially held on 2 November, it is not to be confused with Halloween; Dia de Muertos is a celebration, paying tribute to deceased loved ones. During this family crafts afternoon we will show you how to make Dia de Muertos themed decorations including paper "sugar skull" masks and paper flower headbands.

Places are limited, book via Evenbrite. 

Monday Memories are back!

Online Memory Box: Hulme
The latest addition to our memory box collection covers the Hulme area. Take a look and see if the photographs trigger any forgotten memories for your family of growing up in Manchester. The worksheets included can be used as prompts to start a conversation and we're encouraging everyone taking part to share their findings with us.

See the Archives+ blog for more details and previous memory boxes.

Hungry Little Minds is here!

Look out for this great partnership from Manchester Art Gallery, the National Literacy Trust and Read Manchester.  Over the next six months, they’ll be sharing stories, art, activities, events, news and videos around the themes of chat, play and read for families with Under 5’s.  Catch one of our favourite local poets, Dommy B launching the campaign and keep an eye on Read Manchester and Manchester Art Gallery Facebook pages for more great stories, activities and ideas.

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