Baby Book Time

Baby Book Time runs on Fridays during the school term at Newcastle City Library, 15 Laman Street, Newcastle. It's one of a handful of free early-literacy programmes Newcastle Libraries puts on for babies and children across its City and Wallsend branches, so there's a bit of a path laid out as your little one grows. Beside this one, there's Rock n Rhyme for children aged 1 to 3, Story Stomp for those aged 3 to 5, and Rainbow Storytime, a glitter-filled extravaganza featuring Newcastle's own Timberlina.

The sessions introduce babies to the world of books through stories, songs, rhymes, dancing, music and toys, and give parents the tools and resources to nurture their child's love of reading. There's also time to chat with other new parents while the children play with age-appropriate toys, which is often the best part for the adults in the room.

Beyond the sessions, the library system rounds out its offer with a Newcastle Toy Library at New Lambton Library, a Storybox Library of Australian children's literature through film, an eLibrary of digital resources for kids and weekly LEGO Club sessions. It's a fair bit of ground covered for families with young ones.

Baby Book Time runs from 11am to 12pm, an hour per session, on Fridays during the school term. It's free and no bookings are required — just drop in. The library is at 15 Laman Street, Newcastle 2300.