Storytimes at Baton Rouge Libraries

They say literacy for littles can go a long way. Studies say that simply having your child listen to a story read aloud at a young age can sharpen social and emotional development, foster creativity, help them do better in school for years, and—this might be the best one—improve behaviors like aggression and hyperactivity. 

So what a gift it is to live in a city with such creative and diverse library programming as Baton Rouge! Libraries across the city invite children of all age groups to celebrate the joy of books, enhancing their experience with games, crafts, and even movies—and all for free. See this month's storytime schedule below: 

January 4: Reading of Three Billy Goats Gruff by Jerry Pinkney, followed by a craft in which each child will use a paper plate to make a Billy goat face. Ages 4–7. 10:30 am at Bluebonnet Regional Branch. 

January 11: Reading of Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport, with a colorful dove fingerpainting craft afterwards. Ages 6–11. 11 am at the Pride-Chaneyville Branch. 

January 14: Reading of The Second Sky by Patrick Guest, followed by a penguin wreath craft. Ages 8–11. 4:30 pm at the Carver Regional Branch. 

January 15: Snowflake Bentley by Jaqueline Briggs Martin, followed by a symmetrical snowflake craft on construction paper using science, technology, engineering, and mat-related (STEM) techniques. Ages 6–11. 4 pm at the Fairwood Branch. 

January 16: Let's Celebrate: Martin Luther King Jr. Day by Barbara DeRubertis, followed by an abstract-art workshop celebrating peace and unity. Ages 6–8. 5 pm at the Greenwell Springs Road Regional Branch. 

January 23: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Dream and You by Carole Boston Weatherford, followed by a special craft to celebrate Dr. King's message of unity and equality. Ages 7–11. 4 pm at Eden Park Branch. 

January 28: The Nian Monster by Andrea Wang, followed by a handheld fan craft for the Chinese Lunar New Year. Ages 4–9. 4 pm at the Fairwood Branch. 

ebrpl.com.