There is a vibrant network of libraries on the North Shore and many of them host a weekly story time. Check out the list below for 2023 winter story times, organized by the day of the week. As always, if you have any additional suggestions please feel free to email them to us at [email protected].
(Story times are often not held on holidays or school vacation weeks, so be sure to visit the link to the library’s calendar before heading out.)
Mondays
1 & 2 Year Old Story Time
9:30-10am
Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, Wakefield
Sing, play, dance and share stories, rhymes and games just right for toddlers (ages 1&2 and siblings welcome). Registration is required for this event; you only need to register one person per family/group attending. Registration will open 1 week prior to events.
Preschool Story Time
10-11am
Peabody West Branch Library
Join Miss Julianne for a Storytime, and then crafting time! Listen to her share some stories, and then follow along to create a masterpiece in the Community Room. Registration required.
Stories & Songs
10:15-11am
Hamilton-Wenham Public Library
Join Ms. Katie of Early Childhood Partners for this fun early literacy music and movement story time. Stories and Songs will be on Mondays from 10:15 – 11:00am from January 9 – March 20 (no group on 1/16 or 2/20). Registration required. To register with Early Childhood Partners, click here.
Book Buzz: Story Time
11-11:45am
Beverly Public Library – Farms Branch
Join Dorothea every Monday for story times for the slightly older set. There will be songs, rhymes, and sometimes felt board activities as well. No registration required.
Little Learners Story & Play
Langley-Adams Library, Groveland
1:15-2pm (only on first 3 Mondays of the month)
Ages 3-5 are welcome for stories, socializing, crafts and play. Questions? Contact Bergen at [email protected]. Registration required.
Tuesdays
Books & Babies Story Time
9:30-10am
Beverly Public Library
Read simple board books and share rhymes and bounces, tickles, and hugs. Best for babies ages 0 to 18 months. Registration required.
Tell Me a Cuento
9:30-10am
Salem Public Library
A bilingual (English-Spanish) storytime with Ms. Suzie. Stories, songs, and rhymes in Spanish & English for children and their parent(s) or caregiver(s). Cuentos, canciones y rimas en Español e Inglés para niños y sus padres o cuidadores. For children 18 months – 5 years old. Registration required.
1 & 2 Year Old Story Time
9:30-10am
Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, Wakefield
Sing, play, dance and share stories, rhymes and games just right for toddlers (ages 1&2 and siblings welcome). Registration is required for this event; you only need to register one person per family/group attending. Registration will open 1 week prior to events.
Mother Goose on the Loose
10-10:30am
Ipswich Public Library
An interactive early literacy program for caregivers with infants through 2-year-olds. Songs, stories, music and finger-plays for caregivers and babies to enjoy together. Siblings welcome. Registration required.
Story Time
10-10:45am
The Newbury Town Library, Byfield
Join us for stories, songs, and fingerplays! Ages 0-5, with siblings always welcome. Registration required.
Musical Storytime with Ruthanne
10-11:15am
T.O.H.P. Burnham Library, Essex
Enjoyable for ages 2 and up with a caregiver. Ruthanne sings, plays, reads, and kids will enjoy this musical time. No registration required.
Toddler Story Time
10:30-11am
Beverly Public Library
Best for ages 18 months to 3 years old. Children and their caregivers listen to three or four stories and participate in circle games, singing songs and learning finger plays led by a cheerful and experienced librarian. Registration required.
Baby Story Time
10:30-11am
Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, Wakefield
Join Holly for a short story time with songs, rhymes, and fingerplays for babies ages 0-12 months. After the story time, stay and relax with other caregivers in the area. BYO coffee! This program is designed for adult caregivers and babies, so please no older siblings.Registration opens one week prior to each story time.
Winter Story Time
10:30–11:15am
Topsfield Public Library
Join Ms. Eileen and her trusty sidekick, Scout, for rhymes, games, stories, and fun! This event is geared toward toddlers, but younger and older siblings are also welcome! Registration required.
Baby & Toddler Story Time
11:15-11:45am
Beverly Public Library
Featuring stories, songs, rhymes, bounces, scarves and shakers! Advance registration required.
Baby Bookworms
11:30am-12pm
Hamilton-Wenham Public Library
Join Sue Shepard to enjoy 30 minutes of stories, songs, and finger plays! Children must be accompanied by a caregiver and alternate care for siblings is encouraged. This class meets every Tuesday from January 10 – March 28, but will not meet Feb. vacation week on 2/21. Best for ages newborn to 18 months. Registration required.
Books & Babies
12:30-1pm
Beverly Public Library
Read simple board books and do rhymes and bounces, tickles and hugs. Best for babies ages newborn to 18 months. Registration required.
Storytime
1:30pm
Boxford Town Library
Storytime for kids ages 3 to 5 years old – come for great books, puppets, and crafts! Registration required.
Wednesdays
Books & Babies
9:30–10am
Beverly Public Library
Read simple board books and do rhymes and bounces, tickles and hugs. Best for babies ages newborn to 18 months. Registration required.
Toddler Story Time
9:30-10am (biweekly)
Rowley Public Library
Join us for a half-hour of songs, lap-sit activities, and stories! Baby Bouncers is for children and caregivers aged birth to 3 years. No registration is required!
3-5 Year Old Story Time
9:30-10:15am
Lucious Beebe Memorial Library, Wakefield
For ages 3-5 (siblings welcome). Join Annie for stories, songs, and rhymes for preschoolers. Registration is required for this event; you only need to register one person per family/group attending. Registration will open 1 week prior to events.
Bouncing Babies Story Time
10-10:30am
Peabody Institute Library: Danvers
For parents and caregivers with children ages 0 – 15 months or walkers. Join us for stories, songs and sensory play time to develop language skills, social skills, and motor skills. No registration required.
Story Time
10-10:30am
Lynnfield Public Library
Join Ms. Alex & Ms. Joan to sing songs and listen to stories in the library! Recommended for children ages 5 and under. No registration required.
Mother Goose on the Loose
10-10:30am
Ipswich Public Library
An interactive early literacy program for caregivers with infants through 2-year-olds. Songs, stories, music and finger-plays for caregivers and babies to enjoy together. Siblings welcome. Registration required.
Baby Story Time
10:15-11am
Flint Memorial Library, North Reading
Children under two and their caregiver are invited to sing, play and read with Ms. Kim. No registration required.
Music & Movement
10:15-11:15am
Hamilton-Wenham Public Library
Join Lisa Davis for this story time that incorporates singing songs, reading books, using sign language and gestures to encourage language comprehension and expression. This program is for children ages 18 months to 36 months and their caregiver and will be held on Wednesdays from January 25 – April 12 from 10:15 – 11:15am (no group on 2/22). Music & Movement Story Time is offered by Northeast Arc Early Intervention – Cape Ann in partnership with the Hamilton-Wenham Library. Registration required.
Story Time A-Go Go
10:30-11am
Abbot Public Library, Marblehead
Children are invited to our weekly Wednesday program with stories and movement led by early childhood educator Debbie Leibowitz. This program is for ages 1-4 years old. No registration needed.
Toddler Story Time
10:30-11am
Beverly Public Library
Best for ages 18 months to 3 years old. Children and their caregivers listen to three or four stories and participate in circle games, singing songs and learning finger plays led by a cheerful and experienced librarian. Registration required.
Stories & Songs in the Children’s Room
10:30-11am
Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library
Our youngest patrons and their caregivers are invited to share songs, rhymes and simple stories in the Children’s Room with Ms Carol. Due to space limitations, registration is required for each program you would like to attend. For more information, please email or call: [email protected] / 978-526-7711.
Wiggleworms Toddler Time (18-36 months)
10:30-11:30am
Stevens Memorial Library, North Andover
Storytime for toddlers will include songs, stories, felt boards, and other visual methods of storytelling. Presenter will include music and movement interspersed with shared reading experiences to engage this very active age. Siblings are welcome. No registration required.
Preschool Stories Story Time
10:30-11:30am
Peabody Institute Library, Main Branch
Preschool age children will have a blast at Miss Patty’s storytime! Come listen to some stories, dance, and sing along with us. These programs help children gain early literacy and social skills while also preparing them for a school environment. Children will receive a take-home craft at the end of the program. Registration required.
Little Listeners
11-11:30am
Peabody Institute Library – Danvers
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and more in the library! This story time is designed for children ages 3-5 and their caregivers but older and younger siblings are always welcome to join in. Each story time is limited to 30 on a first come, first serve basis.
Book Buzz: Story Time
11-11:45am
Beverly Public Library – Farms Branch
Join Katie Bug every Wednesday for a story time geared towards our youngest patrons! There will be songs, rhymes, and sometimes felt board activities as well!vPlease email Katie at [email protected] with any questions.
Preschool Story Time
11:15-11:45am
Beverly Public Library
Preschool Story Times consist of three or four stories, songs, stretches, and fingerplays, followed by a simple craft. Children are able to attend on their own, but caregivers are always welcome. Ages 3+. Registration required.
Stories, Bubbles & Fun Story Time
11:15am-12pm
Sawyer Free Library, Gloucester
Join Christy for a morning of stories, songs, rhymes, bubbles & fun with friends! During the construction phase of the library, storytime will be held inside Brown’s Mall at Movement Arts in Gloucester, MA on the top floor of the Brown Building. Enter at 186 Main Street or 11 Pleasant Street & take the elevator to the 5th floor.
Wednesday Story Time
1:30pm
Boxford Town Library
Story time for kids ages 3 to 5 years old – come for great books, puppets, and crafts! Advance registration required.
Thursdays
Early Bird Story Time
9:30-10:15am
The Newbury Town Library, Byfield
Do your kids wake up extra early? Need something to do with younger siblings after dropping older siblings off at school? Join us for stories, songs, and fingerplays! Ages 0-5, with siblings always welcome. Registration required.
3-5 Year Old Story Time
9:30-10:15am
Lucious Beebe Memorial Library, Wakefield
For ages 3-5 (siblings welcome). Join Annie for stories, songs, and rhymes for preschoolers. Registration is required for this event; you only need to register one person per family/group attending. Registration will open 1 week prior to events.
Story Time
10-10:30am
Ipswich Public Library
For children ages 2 through Kindergarten. A fun opportunity for adults to interact with the child in their care while listening to stories, singing songs and participating in large motor skill activities. Registration required.
Baby Story Time
10-10:30am
Peabody Library – Main Branch
For parents and caregivers with children ages newborn – 18 months. You’re never too young for story time! Join Miss Jenny for stories, songs, and sensory play that helps babies develop language, social, and motor skills. Registration required.
Pre-K Story Time
10:15-11am
Flint Memorial Library, North Reading
Three and Four year olds are invited to read stories, sing, dance, stretch and enjoy crafts with Ms. Kim in the Activity Room. No registration required.
Toddler Story Time
11-11:30am
Peabody Library – Main Branch
For parents and caregivers with children ages 18 months – 3 years. Miss Jenny will guide toddlers and their parents and caregivers through stories, songs, and lots of movement that help build important social and early literacy skills. Registration required.
Little Listeners
11-11:30am
Peabody Institute Library – Danvers
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and more in the library! This story time is designed for children ages 3-5 and their caregivers but older and younger siblings are always welcome to join in. Each story time is limited to 30 on a first come, first serve basis.
Preschool Story Time
1-1:45pm
Beverly Public Library
Preschool Story Times consist of three or four stories, songs, stretches, and fingerplays, followed by a simple craft. Children are able to attend on their own, but caregivers are always welcome. Ages 3+. Registration required.
Preschool Storytime Fun: Ages 3-5
1:30-2:15pm
Reading Public Library
Designed for ages 3-5, this series is filled with rollicking stories, songs, felt boards and other visual methods of storytelling! The goal of this series is to increase both your child’s enjoyment of reading and attention span. Come enjoy longer stories and take home thematic/book related activites to extend the storytime experience! Tickets will be given out 30 minutes prior to storytime.
Fridays
Babies & Books
9:30-10:30am
Salem Public Library
An interactive story-playtime and special opportunity to bond with your baby. Join us for rhymes, stories, and songs! For children newborn-18 months and their caregiver(s). Registration required.
Babytime: Storytime for Babies 0-18 months
10-10:30am
Reading Public Library
Join your children’s librarians for stories, songs, play, and Very Important Fun with other babies and caregivers. This storytime is designed for babies ages birth through 18 months. No registration is necessary, but space is strictly limited so please pick up tickets from a Children’s Librarian before the program begins.
Babytime: Storytime for Babies 0-18 months
11-11:30am
Reading Public Library
Join your children’s librarians for stories, songs, play, and Very Important Fun with other babies and caregivers. This storytime is designed for babies ages birth through 18 months. No registration is necessary, but space is strictly limited so please pick up tickets from a Children’s Librarian before the program begins.
Babies and Toddlers Story & Play
Langley-Adams Library, Groveland
1:15-2pm (only on first 3 Mondays of the month)
Ages newborn-3 are welcome for stories, socializing, crafts and play. Questions? Contact Bergen at [email protected]. Registration required.
Weekends
Children’s Saturday Story Time
11am
Barnes & Noble Peabody
Join us on Saturday morning for storytime in our Children’s department. Every week we will chose a fun, new, picture book to read with a take home activity. Suggested for ages 3+