Join us for a game of chess while making new friends.
Learn to play or show off your skills!
All levels and abilities welcome.
Free, just turn up.
Event Type: Libraries
Come and join in the fun craft activities we have and see what you can learn to make and take home!
Our fantastic children’s arts and crafts activities run throughout the year.
As there are limited craft supplies for each arts and crafts session, seats are on a first come first served basis.
No booking required, just turn up and join in!
Join Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure for Reggae Salsa to celebrate Black History Month!
Reggae salsa is a fusion music genre that blends elements of reggae and salsa. It combines the rhythmic grooves and laid-back vibes of reggae, which originated in Jamaica, with the energetic and danceable Latin flavors of salsa, a genre that stems from Afro-Cuban music with roots in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and New York. This session will be delivered by CaribbeanMixx!
Upcycling is a sustainable way to renew and reuse clothing that would otherwise be thrown away.
✂️ Learn tips and ideas
✂️ See demos
✂️ Make and take
(Please note that this is not an alteration service).
Babies love books so it’s never too early to bring your child to the library. Enjoy stories and songs together with your child and meet other parents and children.
These weekly events are suitable for under 5s. They are FREE and no booking is required but please arrive on time.
During busy periods, we may need to limit numbers to accommodate everyone safely.
Join us at Wanstead Library for a fun-filled celebration of children’s books, with a full day of exciting author events and activities for every age to enjoy as part of the Wanstead Book Festival!
Check out our exciting line-up below!
All events are drop-in, free – though space may be limited.
11:00am
Happy Hills with Sophy Henn
Join author and illustrator Sophy Henn for a LOL-packed event to celebrate her Happy Hills graphic series.
Sophy is an award-winning picture book author and illustrator, and the creator of the much-loved Bad Nana series. Her debut picture book Where Bear? was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal and shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.
Ages 5+
1:30pm
The Best You with Nima Patel
Join Nima Patel for an inspirational reading of her new picture book The Best You, where we’ll be exploring the different values which make us all the best version of ourselves.
Nima is a parenting coach, children’s author and former primary school teacher. She has passionately created the brand Mindful Champs – with a mission to bring an emotional education into the lives of children.
Ages 3+
3:00pm
Spellcasters with Crystal Sung
Join author Crystal Sung to learn all about the Spellcasters series, find out their different magic powers are – and imagine what your own powers would be!
Crystal is a British Malaysian writer with a background in advertising. She loves exploring stories involving friendship, with a dark or supernatural twist. She lives in London with her family.
Ages 7+
Click here for more information and the full Wanstead Book Festival programme
Ben Aaronovitch, author behind the wildly popular, ‘Rivers of London’ series, is releasing the latest instalment, ‘The Masquerades of Spring’, this September.
Ben is embarking on a national tour to promote his new book, and we’re delighted to welcome him back to Redbridge Libraries for an exclusive launch event.
Born and raised in London, Ben Aaronovitch’s childhood was so remarkably uneventful that it drove him to immerse himself in the world of Science Fiction. His love for the genre led to early writing successes, including scripts for ‘Doctor Who’, ‘Casualty’ and the budget soap opera ‘Jupiter Moon’. When his writing career stalled in the late 1990s, Ben found himself working in the Crime and Science Fiction sections at Waterstones in Covent Garden, where the idea for the ‘Rivers of London’ series was born.
The first book in the series became an instant hit, allowing Ben to quickly leave his day job and return to the blissful life of a full-time writer. He still lives in London, which he affectionately calls ‘the capital of the world’ and has no plans of leaving—unless they pry it from his cold, dead fingers.
This is a fantastic opportunity to meet one of the most beloved authors in modern urban fantasy. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the ‘Rivers of London’ series, this event is your chance to delve into the mind of a great author.
Join us for a Q&A session with Ben, where you can dive into the world of ‘Rivers of London’ and get insights into his writing process.
Don’t miss the chance to get your copy of ‘The Masquerades of Spring’ signed by Ben himself.
So, prepare your questions and join us for what promises to be a memorable evening!
Suitable for ages 16+
BYO drinks and snacks
If the event is full please join the waiting list!
Come along to the Back To Hogwarts Weekender at Redbridge Central Library. Collect your activity sheets from the Welcome Desk, and join in with our special ‘Can You Catch The Golden Snitch?’ trail!
Drop-In, Free