Idea Store Children's Offer

‘Reading for pleasure
is more important to
a child’s educational
achievement than
their family’s wealth
or social class’
Source: Reading for
change, OECD, 2002
Idea Store
for children

The Idea Store Pledge
All children will sign the Idea Store Pledge when they join:
• I will treat other users with respect and care
• I will walk, not run; I will talk, not shout
• I will look after Idea Store books and computers
• I will bring my books back when I’ve finished them
For the parent:
I will look after my child in the Idea Store and I will
ensure that my child keeps the pledge.
For Idea Stores:
We will provide an enjoying and enriching
experience for children and parents.
READING FOR F UN
CHANGES LIV ES
We all know
how important
reading is, but
did you know
how important
it is that
children enjoy
their reading?
*
*
*
The 2002 OECD report demonstrated that reading for pleasure at age 11
was the biggest single determinant, taking all other factors into account,
including parental income, in a child’s future success in education.
In Idea Store we love books and stories and are determined that all
children in Tower Hamlets grow up to enjoy reading. That’s not just
because it will bring them success – but because reading is one of
the greatest sources of happiness in life.
So, we’re delighted to introduce our new programme for
children which has reading at its heart.

STORY TIME
Every day Monday to Saturday at 10:30am
For babies and children up to 5 years old
Have fun and give your child a head start.
Young children who are read to every day
get on better and do well, in a wide range of
subjects, when they get to school.
Idea Stores
have FREE
Family
Learning
courses
“
My baby and I really like
the children’s section - it’s
great for the babies to
Overall
crawl around and discover
new books and meet
other children
”
Parent
the library has been
an amazing help as I am in
temporary accommodation
(bed-sit). My 1 yr. old son has a
great time being able to play
freely and safely. Also it’s such
a help being able to use the
computer for free.
Parent
“
”

Idea Stores
give your
child a
head start
STORY TIME
BOOK CLUB
Take home books to read and get your story time book club card stamped.
When the card is full your child will get a certificate. Collect all eight!
‘Children who are read to
every day at three are likely
to be flourishing in a wide
range of subjects by the age
of five.’ Research from London
University Institute of Education

DADS’ CLUB
Every Saturday morning at 11:15am
For dads and children
Many dads never get time to share books with their
children but Saturday mornings in Idea Stores are the
perfect opportunity for this.
Dads are great role models and children who see both
their parents enjoying books are more likely to enjoy
reading themselves
‘The most crucial thing for dads to understand is
that if kids see their dads reading they’re more
likely to enjoy it themselves. There is evidence
that boys are slipping further behind girls in
reading - and this emphasises how important it is
that dads are positive role models to their
sons as well as their daughters when
it comes to reading.’ Booktrust 2012
“
I am a single father to a
16 month old daughter
with health problems
and developmental delay.
I find the song/story
sessions every morning
a very useful resource
to help socialise her and
particularly the Dads’ club
on Saturday mornings
”
Dad
‘There is ample evidence
that parents who promote
reading as a valuable and
worthwhile activity have
children who are motivated
to read for pleasure’
National Literacy Trust

FAMILY
READING
GROUP
Every Saturday afternoon at 2:15pm
For everyone
Everyone is welcome at this shared reading group.
This is an opportunity for families to read together
and share stories in a supportive, friendly
environment. You can meet new families and make
new friends. Children need to be of a reading age.
“
We come every
Saturday and always
have a great time! It’s
such a great activity
for young families.
Please keep doing it!
”
Parent
‘Comparing children with the same family
income, parental characteristics and home
environments, a child taken to the library
on a monthly basis from ages three to
five is two and a half months ahead of an
equivalent child at age five who did not
visit the library so frequently.’ Sutton Trust

READING
ALOUD
Every day Monday to Friday at 3:30pm
For children up to 11
Relax after school with refreshments and a story in Idea Stores.
Close your eyes and get carried away into another world.
DID YOU KNOW?
Children who choose the books they read usually
read more books and spend more time reading.
Independent reading increases both vocabulary and
reading fluency. Idea Store staff support children
in choosing their own books and give children
strategies for comparing and contrasting books
You’re in charge -
whether you want to
re-read old favourites
or want to try out
something new, you
can choose any book
you like!

BOYS’ BOOK
CLUB
Every Monday at 4:00pm
For boys up to 11
A club especially for boys to get
together and share their reading
experiences, explore a range of
reading materials and media, and talk
about anything that interests them.
Snacks and drinks provided.
Look out for quizzes and prizes –
and maybe a penalty shoot out...
Idea Stores have
hundreds of
thousands of books
– and help with
choosing books
Idea Stores are open at
weekends. Idea Stores in
Whitechapel, Bow, Chrisp
Street and Canary Wharf
are open on Sundays

GIRLS’
BOOK CLUB
Every Tuesday at 4:00pm
For girls up to 11
This club is especially for girls to get
together to have fun with reading.
Share your favourite reading –
and find out about something new.
Snacks and drinks provided.
Let’s hear it for the girls!
Look out for quizzes and prizes!
The Idea Store provides
1 to 1 reading support.
The ‘Reading Buddy’
scheme brings volunteers
of all ages into Idea Stores
to listen to children reading
- please book a time at any
Idea Store or Library

{code club}
Every Wednesday at 4:00pm
For everyone interested in
computers and what they can do.
Learn how to programme your own
interactive stories, games and animations.
“
This club gives my
child the opportunity to
enjoy using computers
in a safe environment
with their friends
”
Parent

TEENAGE
CLUB
Every Thursday at 4:00pm
For over 12s only
Create your own space, meet new
people, get skills and inspire others.
Idea Store staff will help you make a
place especially for you.
Teenagers: there are lots of
volunteering opportunities in Idea
Stores. Enhance your CV, meet new
friends and have fun at the same time.
See our website for details (ideastore.
co.uk/about-us-volunteering)
DID YOU KNOW?
Your Idea Store membership
card gives you access to a wide
range of resources including
encyclopaedias, driving test
simulation, careers advice and
law. The range is greater than at
any school in the borough. You
can use this in store or at home

“
“
“
“
We really like the
activities the library
puts on like the Art
Club and the Summer
Reading Challenge
Moimin - age 6 ”
The library has lots of good
books to read, lots of computers
to use and the Summer Reading
Challenge to do in the holidays
Islam - age 10 ”
I like coming here because
there are lots of stories and
it’s colourful and everyone is
friendly. My favourite book is
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Tracy - age 8 ”
I like reading books,
especially adventure
books and science.
I would like to know
more facts
”
Nahom - age 9
“
“
The library has
lots of good books
that I love to read
Sumayah - age 5
I like all of the
Horrid Henry Books
Madeline - age 6
“
“
“
“
Great place for parents
to bring children, for
children to access
books and learn how
to use the computers
Abdul – Dad ”
We love having so
many books to read
and computers to use
Taha - aged 5 and
Enaiya - age 8
What I love about Idea Store Whitechapel is...
The Creepy House and I really like the
volunteers Sumaya - age 7
Playing on the computer and reading the
cartoon books Ihsan - age 6
The really good books like the Tom Gates
series Tasin - age 9
”
”
”
“
”
”
I like coming here
because I like reading
books Tamzin
”
“
”

HOMEWORK
CLUB
Every Friday at 4:00pm
For anyone who’s just been
given some homework to do
Our staff will help you to find the answers.
We use Britannica Online, which supports
the curriculum for younger children and
older students, as well as a host of other
online and printed resources.

ART CLUB
Every Sunday at 2:15pm
at Idea Stores in Bow,
Canary Wharf, Chrisp Street
and Whitechapel
For children between 6-12 years
In this weekly session we explore
art and art-based techniques, find
out about famous artists and look at
how illustrations complement and
enhance a story.
Explore
your
creative
side

SUMMER
READING
CHALLENGE
Every year, in partnership with the Reading Agency, we run the
Summer Reading Challenge for children aged 4-11. Children are
challenged to choose and read six books over the summer holidays
and get to participate in a range of exciting activities. There is a
different theme every year.
Taking part helps prevent the ‘summer reading dip’ in achievement when
children without a book or reading opportunities at home over the long
summer break from school traditionally lose ground in their reading.
Thousands of children take part in the Summer Reading Challenge
every year, winning prizes along the way. All children who finish the
challenge are awarded a medal and are given a certificate at school.
We also run a smaller
Winter Reading Challenge,
which starts at the end of
the autumn term and runs
into the holidays
Summer Reading
Challenge volunteers
We’re proud that teenagers
from secondary schools all
over Tower Hamlets volunteer
in Idea Stores and libraries
every summer to help younger
children with the challenge

Children’s Programme
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday*
10:30am Storytime Storytime Storytime Storytime Storytime Storytime
11.15am
Dads’
Club
2:15pm
Family
Reading
Group
Art Club
3:30pm
Reading
Aloud
Reading
Aloud
Reading
Aloud
Reading
Aloud
Reading
Aloud
4:00pm
Boys’
Book
Club
Girls’
Book
Club
Code
Club
Teenage
Club
Homework
Club
*Please note Art Club will only take place in
Idea Store Bow, Canary Wharf, Chrisp Street and Whitechapel
Addresses
Idea Store Bow
1 Gladstone Place
Roman Road, E3 5ES
020 7364 4332
Bow Church
Fully accessible
Idea Store Canary Wharf
Churchill Place
Canary Wharf, E14 5RB
020 7364 4332
Canary Wharf
Fully accessible
Idea Store Chrisp Street
1 Vesey Path
East India Dock Road, E14 6BT
020 7364 4332
All Saints
Fully accessible
Idea Store Watney Market
260 Commercial Road
Shadwell, E1 2FB
020 7364 4332
Shadwell
Fully accessible
Idea Store Whitechapel
321 Whitechapel Road
Whitechapel, E1 1BU
020 7364 4332
Whitechapel
Fully accessible
Bethnal Green Library
Cambridge Heath Road
E2 0HL
020 7364 3492/ 3493
Bethnal Green
Fully accessible
Cubitt Town Library
Strattondale Street
Isle of Dogs, E14 3HG
020 7987 3152
Crossharbour
No accessible toilets
For more information about any
of our events just ask at the
helpdesk, call 020 7364 4332
or visit www.ideastore.co.uk