Fabula Summer Activities
Get ready to take over YOUR local library this summer!
This year, Fabula Festival will be taking over a Redbridge Library branch near you, with some fun filled days of storytelling, crafts and activities. There’s something for all ages, tastes and abilities – from author and illustrator events, interactive storytelling and VR experiences!
And even if you can’t make one of our Take Over days, we’ve still got plenty plenty of activities in store.
Come along, enjoy the fun, and don’t forget to sign up to the Fabula Reading Challenge!
See what's on below!
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See what we did in previous years
14 – 20 July
Families Take-over Day
Join us on Saturday 19 July for the Fabula Festival’s Families Take-Over Day! Redbridge Central Library will be bursting at the seams – with a whole day of free family ev
ents in store.
There’ll be author visits, special story times and loads of crafts and fun activities. Come along, enjoy the fun – and don’t forget to sign up to the Fabula Reading Challenge!
Redbridge Central Library
Saturday 19 July
11.00am-5.00pm
Special Rhyme Time with Discover – That’s Not My Pumpkin
A fun, intimate and sensory storytelling for ages 0-3 — featuring sensory objects, storytelling and stay-and-play.
Welcome to our pumpkin patch. We’re looking for our favourite pumpkin, can you find yours? Is it too fuzzy, too bumpy, too hairy or too sparkly?
Multiple Libraries from Monday 14 July
Suitable for ages 0-36 months and their caregivers.
21 – 27 July
The Wild Word Garden
Poet and entertainer, Justin Coe, brings the wild inside with a not so common or garden variety of wacky wordplay, silly stories, puppet-enhanced verse and interactive fun and games.
Hainault Library
Friday 25 July
11.30pm-12.30pm
Wanstead Library
Friday 25 July
1.30pm-2.30pm
Suitable for children 3-11 years and their families.
28 July – 3 August
Giant Jenga with Janice
Will you be the one to topple the tower in our giant game of Jenga?
Drop in, free fun – no need to book!
Gants Hill Library
Wednesday 30 July
2.00pm-3.00pm
Suitable for children 4+ and their families.
4 – 10 August
Watch Me Bloom – Author Event with Krina Patel Sage
Join author Krina Patel-Sage for a reading of her new picture book Watch Me Bloom, and explore the beautiful flowers growing close to home. Then, join in with a fun, interactive craft and colouring activity!
Fullwell Cross Library
Tuesday 5 August
2.00pm-2.50pm
Suitable for children 3-7 years and their families.
Wanstead Library National Play Day
To celebrate National Play Day 2025 join us on Christchurch Green for a Teddy Bear’s Picnic, stories songs and rhymes, games in the park, and dinosaur egg decoration!
Wanstead Library
Wednesday 6 August
2.30pm-4.00pm
Suitable for children 3-7 years and their families.
The Good Night Airport – Author Event with Tori Kasara
Join local author Tori Kasara for a reading of The Good Night Airport and The Good Night Garage, published by award-winning East London-based publisher Flying Eye Books.
There’ll be vehicle-themed singalongs, colouring sheets, paper aeroplane making and games – and even a lavatory truck poo-themed bean bag toss game!
Goodmayes Library
Thursday 7 August
2.00pm-2.50pm
Suitable for children 3-7 years and their families.
11 – 17 August
Sai’s Magic Silk – Author Event with Shyala Smith
Join Shyala Smith for a reading of her picture book Sai’s Magic Silk, followed by a fun colouring session and a creative activity where you can create your own story!
Gants Hill Library
Tuesday 12 August
2.00pm-2.50pm
Suitable for children 3-7 years and their families.
Flamekraken – Author Event with James Sellick
Join James Sellick for a reading of his new picture book Flamekraken and the Forest Fire! Learn about the magic and importance of our ancient forests, climate change, and the everyday actions you can take to help!
Wanstead Library
Thursday 14 August
2.00pm-2.50pm
Suitable for children 3-7 years and their families.
18 – 24 August
Carnival Queen – Author Event with Donette Williams-Harry
Get ready for carnival with picture book author Donette Williams- Harry. She’ll be reading from her new picture book Carnival Queen, and sharing the sights, smells and sounds of this very special day!
Redbridge Central Library
Thursday 21 August
2.00pm-2.50pm
Suitable for children 3-7 years and their families.
The Secret Explorers – Drama Workshop with Cat & Hutch
Join storytellers Cat & Hutch for an exciting drama workshop based on the book The Secret Explorers!
Fullwell Cross Library
Friday 22 August
2.00pm – 3:00pm
Hainault Library
Friday 22 August
11.00am – 12:00pm
Suitable for children 6-9 years
25 – 30 August
I’m Going To Make A Friend – Author Event with Darren Chetty
Join author Darren Chetty for a heartwarming event based around his new picture book I’m Going To Make A Friend. Find out all about the many challenges of making new friends and how long it will take – and maybe make a few new friends yourself!
Woodford Green Library
Friday 29 August
2.00pm-2.50pm
Suitable for children 3-7 years and their families.
1-7 July
The Duck Pond
There’s always fun to be had around the duck pond, come rain or shine. Let’s see what we can find!
An intimate, interactive storytelling for our smaller visitors and their caregivers — featuring sensory objects, rhymes and stay-and-play. Take a trip to feed the ducks. What will you see? What will you feel?
Please note: during your visit to The Duck Pond, there will be some sensory water play. It is advisable to bring a change of clothes, just in case.
Co-Created by Discover Story Builders: Charlie-Anne Bruce and Diana Redgrave
Fabula Festival – Families Take Over Day
Join us for the Fabula Festival’s Families Take-Over Day! Redbridge Central Library will be bursting at the seams – with a whole day of free* family events in store.
There’ll be author visits, special story times and loads of crafts and fun activities. Come along, enjoy the fun – and don’t forget to sign up to the Fabula Reading Challenge!
*a small fee for face painting will apply
15 – 21 July
Raiv’s Starry Feelings – Storytelling with Niall Moorjani
As part of South Asian Heritage Month, join author Niall Moorjani for some storytelling and craft based on their beautiful debut picture book Rajiv’s Starry Feelings – and learn more about the complex emotions we all feel but can’t always name.
Niall Moorjani is a mixed Scots-Indian award-winning writer and storyteller. They draw inspiration from fairy tales, folk tales and history and love giving them a modern twist. Rajiv’s Starry Feelings is their debut picture book.
29 July – 4 August
Summer Crafts at Seven Kings Library
Seven Kings Library will be offering a variety of book and story themed crafts throughout the Fabula Reading Challenge this summer.
Every Tuesday. Crafts are suitable for children aged 4+
FREE, spaces limited, please book in advance at the welcome desk or over the phone.
5 – 11 August
One-Button And The Sea – Storytelling with Sara Stanley
Join Sara Stanley, author and children’s story player for a fun retelling of family stories in your cardboard box boats.
Listen to the story of her new picture book, One Button and the Sea, and create your own story with paper planes.
Wanstead Library
Tuesday 6 August
2pm-2.50pm
Suitable for children 3-7yrs and their families.
Summer Crafts at Seven Kings Library
National Playday
South Asian Flag Game and Craft
DIY fan craft
12 – 18 August
Storytelling with Marjoke Henrichs – Detective Catz and the Missing Nut
Join author and illustrator Marjoke Henrichs for a fun storytelling and drawalong event based on her new book Detective Catz and the Missing Nut.
You might even get the chance to become a detective yourself!
Gants Hill Library
Tuesday 13 August
2pm-2.50pm
Suitable for children 3-7yrs and their families.
Who Wants to be an Olympian by Pākiki Theatre
Could YOU be a medal winner?
Do you know your GOALBALL from your GOGGLES?
And just WHAT is a runky fap?
Qualify, win team medals and be in your very own Olympic ceremony in this theatre show. Celebrate Olympics and Paralympics past, present and future in perfect time for Paris 2024!
Ideal for ages 5+ and their families.
Booking essential
£3 per child
Thursday 15 August
Redbridge Central Library
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Wanstead Library
2.30pm – 3.30pm
Summer Crafts at Seven Kings Library
Make a 3D Peacock
STEM Week – Lab Central (Redbridge Central Library) 12 – 18 August
19-25 August
Make A Zine with Patchlarks
Create a brilliantly expressive mini book – called a ‘zine’. Drawings, collages and words collide in this joyfully creative craft session with a narrative flare. Aimed at all humans aged 6+.
Spaces limited, booking required.
Costs
Child – £2.00
Parent/Guardian – Free
Tuesday 20 August
Hainault Library: 10.30am – 11.30am
Fullwell Cross Library: 1.30pm – 2.30pm
Wednesday 21 August
Keith Axon Centre: 1pm – 2pm
The Patchlarks Storytelling Show
Dive into a world of cunning characters, exciting antics, and animal magic in this storytelling show. Oliver Wallace brings his rambunctious style to fairytales and folktales for all ages.
For children 3+ and their families.
Free, drop in, no need to book
Tuesday 20 August
Fullwell Cross Library
3.15pm-4.15pm
Wednesday 21 August
Keith Axon Centre
3pm – 4pm
South Woodford Book Swap
We’re celebrating Fabula Festival with a very special Book Swap At South Woodford Library! Bring along books you want to swap, have a browse and find a new favourite. There’ll be loads of storytelling, colouring and crafts to join in with throughout the day as well.
Saturday 24 August
South Woodford Library & Gym
10:30am – 4:30pm
Free, Drop-In
Summer Crafts at Seven Kings Library
26 August – 1 September
Polly Bee Makes Honey – Storytelling and Craft with Julia Groves
Join children’s book illustrator Julia Groves for storytelling and a fun collage activity all about honey bees. We will read Julia’s book Polly Bee Makes Honey and find out where bees live and how they make honey!
Goodmayes Library
Tuesday 27 August
2pm-2.50pm
Suitable for children 3-7yrs and their families.
How to Catch a Book Witch by Coppice Theatre
Follow a little girl called Kira as she tries to find out why all the words are starting to vanish from the books in her local library. It is a race against time to find out what is happening. Could there be a Book Witch stealing the stories?
Explore the importance of libraries, sharing stories and not judging people. The show features live music, puppetry and storytelling. Created with inclusion and accessibility in mind and including key word signing and integrated captions.
Booking essential.
Ideal for ages 5+ and their families.
Booking essential
£3 per child
Thursday 29 August
Redbridge Central Library
11am – 12noon
Wanstead Library
3.30pm – 4.30pm
Summer Crafts at Seven Kings Library
2 September – 14 September
Family Book Day at Wanstead Library
To celebrate the end of the Fabula Reading Challenge and as part of the Wanstead Book Festival, join us for a day of fun, stories and books for families, including author events and craft activities running throughout the day.
Saturday 14 September
Schedule:
11:30 – Tola Okugwu – Bekah and the Moon
13:00 – Joseph Elliot – Nora and the Map of Mayhem
15:00 – Discover – Supertato
…plus drop-in craft throughout the day
