Storytimes introduce literacy and help foster a love of books and reading. All storytimes listed below are free, and many include songs, crafts, and special guests.
BUTTE COUNTY
Monday
- Chico Public Library: Bilingual Story Garden. Ages 0-5. 10am year-round. 1108 Sherman Ave. 530-891-2762
Tuesday
- Chico Public Library: Preschool Storytime. Ages 3-5. Two sessions: 10am and 11am, year round. 1108 Sherman Ave. 530-891-2762
Wednesday
- Chico Barnes and Noble: Storytime. All ages. 11am, year round. 2031 Dr. Martin Luther King Pkwy. 530-894-1495
- Chico Public Library: Babies Love Books Storytime. Ages 0-18 months. 9:30am and 10:30am, year-round. 1108 Sherman Ave. 530-891-2762
- Oroville Public Library: Preschool Storytime. Stories and activities geared for all ages 3-5. 11am, year-round. 1820 Mitchell Ave. 530-538-7641
Thursday
- Chico Public Library: Afterschool Storytime and Crafts. Ages 5-9. 3pm year-round. 1109 Sherman Ave. 530-891-2762
- Durham Public Library: Preschool Storytime. Geared for preschoolers, all ages welcome. 10am, year-round. 2545 Durham-Dayton Hwy. 530-879-3835.
- Gridley Public Library: Bilingual Preschool Storytime. Stories in Spanish and English. Includes craft activity. 10am, year-round. 299 Spruce St. 530-846-3323
Oroville Public Library: Babies Love Books Storytime. Geared for infants 0-18 months and their parents. Siblings welcome. Includes rhymes, songs, and stories. 10am, year-round. 1820 Mitchell Ave. 530-538-7641 - Paradise Public Library: Baby/Toddler Storytime. Ages 0-3 years. 10am, year-round. 5922 Clark Rd. 530-872-6320
Friday
- Chico Public Library: Toddler Storytimes. Ages 3 and under. Two sessions: 9:30 and 10:30am year-round. 1108 Sherman Ave. 530-891-2762
- Gridley Public Library: Toddler/Pre-school Storytime. 10am, year-round. 299 Spruce St. 530-846-3323
- Oroville Public Library: School-age Storytime. Stories and activities geared for ages K-5th grade. 3pm year-round. 1820 Mitchell Ave. 538-7641
- Paradise Public Library: Storytime and Craft, ages 3-5. 11am, year-round. 5922 Clark Rd. 530-872-6320
Saturday
- Chico Barnes and Noble: Storytime. All ages. 2pm, year-round. 2031 Dr. Martin Luther King Pkwy. 530-894-1494
- Chico Public Library: Chinese Storytime. All ages. Stories, songs, and crafts. 3rd Saturdays, 10:30am, year-round. 1108 Sherman Ave. 530-891-2726
- Chico Public Library: Japanese Storytime. All ages. Monthly program features classic tales of japan, Kamishibai (paper-theater), Japanese songs and crafts. 1st Saturdays, 1pm, year-round. 1108 Sherman Ave.
- Chico Pulbic Library: Spanish Storytime. All ages. Stories, songs, and crafts. 2nd Saturdays, 2pm year-round. 1108 Sherman Ave. 530-891-2762
- Chico Public Library: Storytale Tutors. Ages 5-12. Children read to trained therapy dogs. Especially helpful for reluctant readers. 4th Saturdays, 2pm. 1108 Sherman Ave. 530-891-2762
SHASTA COUNTY
Monday
- Redding Public Library: Baby Bookworms. Lapsit storytime for ages 6 months to 2 years. Fingerplay and playtime too. 10:30 am, year-round. 1100 Parkview Ave. 530-245-7250
Tuesday
- Fall Rivers Mills Public Library: Itty Bitty Bookworm Club. Ages 2-6. 2:25pm,, Sept-May. 530-336-6445
- Redding Library: Preschool Page Turners. Ages 3-6 years. Stories, music, crafts, and playtime. 10:30 year-round. 1100 Parkview Ave. 530-245-7250
Wednesday
- Burney Public Library: Preschool Storytime. Reading and crafts for toddlers and their parents to enjoy together. 10am, year-round. Burney Library, 37038 Siskiyou St. 530-335-4317
- Cottonwood Community Library: Storytime. Geared for young children. 11:30am, year-round. 3427 Main St. 530-347-4818
- Redding Barnes and Noble: Storytime. All ages. 10am, year-round. 1260 Churn Creek Rd. 530-222-2006
Thursday
- Anderson Public Library: Storytime. Children of all ages welcome. Stories, songs, crafts, and special guest presenters. 3:30pm during the school year. 3200 W. Center St. 530-365-7685
- KIXE, Redding: Storytime. Ages 0-5. Stories, songs, stickers, and crafts. Complimentary book. 3rd Thursdays, 9-11am. KIXE Volunteer Center, 603 N. Market St. RSVP 530-243-5493 x 112.
Friday
- Redding Public Library: Chinese-English Storytime. All ages. Stories in Mandarin and English, songs and fun crafts too. 11:30 am, year-round. 1100 Parkview Ave.
Saturday
- Redding Barnes and Noble: Storytime. All ages. 11am, year-round. 1260 Churn Creek Rd. 530-222-2006.
- Redding Library: Children’s Story Hour. All ages. Stories, puppet shows and drama, games, and arts and crafts. 11am year-roudn. 1100 Parkview Ave. 530-245-7250
SISKIYOU COUNTY
Tuesday
- McCloud Public Library: Preschool Storytime. Ages 0-5 enjoy storytime, activities, and a snack, and take home a book to keep. 10:30am during the school year. McCloud Elementary School Library. 530-964-3250
- Scott Valley Resource Center, Fort Jones: Playgroup and Storytime. Ages 0-5. 10am, year-round. 11920 Main St. 530-468-2450.
Wednesday
- Dunsmuir Public Library: Storytime. For all ages (infants welcome). Snacks provided. 3:30 om during the school year. 5714 Dunsmuir Ave. 530-235-2035
- Mt. Shasta Public Library: Songs and Stories for Young People. Fun stories and sing-alongs to live music. Puppet show on last Wednesday monthly. 10:30am, year-round. 515 E. Alma St. 530-926-2031
Saturday
- Mt. Shasta Public Library: Canine Reading Program. Children gain reading skills by reading to certified therapy dog in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Typically on 3rd Saturdays, check Library website (www.mtshastalibrary.org) or call to confirm dates. 515 E. Alma St. 530-926-2031
TEHAMA COUNTY
Themed summer reading program runs June-August, with learning activities, special guests, contests, stories and end-of-program party. Prizes, certificates, and ribbons awarded.
Monday
- Corning Library: Preschool story hour (all ages welcome). 10am Sept-May. 530-824-7050
Wednesday
- Red Bluff Library: Preschool story hour. 9:30am Sept-May. 530-527-0604