Fall inside The Magic Sweet Jar! 🍠🍬 🍫
Join us for a special free preview and experience The Magic Sweet Jar.
The Magic Sweet Jar is a play for children aged 6-11 about a young girl who falls through a portal into a world made entirely of sweets. Filled with live music, puppets, homemade masks, and interactive storytelling, audiences are encouraged to help bring the story to life.
But underneath the fantasy is a story about grief, feelings, and learning that there is strength in softness.
Created with support from @marlowetheatre , this imaginative new family show transforms simple objects into vast magical worlds right in front of your eyes. No screens, no high-tech wizardry, just imagination and play.
Join us for the laughter, wonder, and music, with a story children will carry home with them long after the show ends.
This special preview is a chance to experience The Magic Sweet Jar before its planned national tour in 2027.
Where: Hackney Central Library @hackneylibraries
When: 13 June 2:30 PM
🎫 book your free place at the link in bio!
Flyer made w/help from @l_adhd_
#hackney #families #londonkids #theatreforkids #theatreforyoungaudiences
Tomorrow is the second-to-last Reading Allowed before we take a Summer break.
Reading Allowed is a shared reading session that brings people together to read a few short pieces and talk about what we see in them, or what they bring up in ourselves.
đź“Ťthe second Tuesday of every month at 5:00 PM in the Library of Things at C. L. R. James Library in Dalston.
Join us this Friday @hackneylibraries Hackney Central to find out all you need to know about reusable nappies. Bring along your baby, your bump and anyone who will be changing nappies! All welcome no need to book. Demo starts at 10!
If someone has given you some nappies and you are a bit stumped bring one along and I will explain all.
You can also claim your free ÂŁ70 nappy voucher with @hackneycouncil on the day or any time online via @realnappiesforlondon
If you’d like sling help from Mel from 11am you need to book in with her directly @wrapahug_sling_library and please read carefully what help is available at the session!
A young author.
A library.
A Michael Jackson soundtrack.
And a journey back in time… ✨📚
This clip takes us back to the magic of The Children’s Black Book Fair UK 2025
The laughter, the dancing, the stories, the community and we “Remember The Time” when we spent unforgettable moments with Literature Legend Eric Huntley and Rastamouse creator Michael De Souza.
This year… we’re going even BIGGER.
✨ More young authors
✨ More Black storytellers
✨ Black books coming to life
✨ Spectacular seminars
✨ Free books
✨ Free Goodie bags
This is more than a book fair.
It’s a chance to fall in love with books all over again.
And the best part?
It’s completely FREE.
Follow us for ticket updates. 🎟️
The Children’s Black Book Fair UK 2026
Saturday 22nd August 2026
đź“Ť CLR James Library, Dalston Square, Hackney, E8
“We Belong In Every Story.”
See Us. Hear Us. Read Us.
🎥 Video: @Cristina.Cabral_Official
🎬 Edit: @mlxdigitaluk
Please note: We do not own the rights to this music.
“Remember The Time” — Michael Jackson
Today’s prompt is from the very brilliant @pjsamuelspoet who facilitates regular writing workshops @spktheword@shadedwriters
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PJ’S PROMPT:
Invitation: Write into absence using an extended metaphor/allegory.
Context: the absence could be the literal death of someone, or death of a relationship or even death of something more intangible like an ideology/philosophy - democracy/capitalism/automatic parental respect/organised religion/Santa (the day Santa died?). For example, you could use a houseplant as a metaphorical thing that wilted & died while your relationship ended. Maybe use the title of your poem to clue the reader into what you are writing about. Or an epitaph.
Definitions: extended metaphor = a metaphor that is developed in great detail, using multiple linked comparisons, and is sustained throughout a piece of writing, rather than being confined to a single line or phrase. It’s a way to create a more profound and complex comparison between two things, often adding layers of meaning and imagery
allegory = a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
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write in person with PJ at @hackneylibraries every 2nd Saturday of the month bit.ly/ShadedTickets (QTIBIPOC)
read online with PJ every 1st Wednesday of the month bit.ly/SistahsReading (queer womxns of colour)
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You are warmly invited to join our supportive, inclusive writing community, no previous experience necessary. We celebrate your creativity.
Free tickets on eventbrite:
SHADED WRITERS (Online & In Person)
bit.ly/ShadedTickets
(for QTIBIPOC)
SPEAK THE WORD ONLINE POETRY SALON
bit.ly/SpeakTheWordTickets
(For everyone, all welcome)
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You are warmly invited to join us this Saturday 9th May, 1-3pm for a free creative writing workshop led/curated by the amazing poet, activist & educator @pjsamuelspoet
This workshop (for QTIBIPOC) is a hybrid event which you can attend in person at Clapton Library, London E5 or you have the option of joining via Zoom.
A mix of creative prompts and mindfulness will be offered. A moment to pause, reflect and create. Come to enjoy the ambience of being in community.
It is suitable for writers at any level and non-writers wishing to engage creatively.
It will be held as gentle space of invitation and relaxation and finding your own level of participation, no judgement, no pressure.
Free tickets on eventbrite
bit.ly/ShadedTickets
EVERY 2nd SATURDAY OF THE MONTH
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Saturday 9th May
1-3pm
Hybrid event
IN PERSON:
Clapton Library
Northwold Rd
London E5 8RA
Or ONLINE:
via Zoom (link will be sent when you sign up)
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tickets for in person & online are both available via this eventbrite link
bit.ly/ShadedTickets
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@hackneylibraries are wonderful and Shoreditch library today truly made me smile ! From the arts and crafts created with help from wonderful staff to the books celebrating the borough’s diversity and perhaps my favourite children’s book cover I have seen for some time … “mullets” . We are so lucky to have these places available for all which is why @hackneylabour committed to keeping them open for all and at the hours needed .
One of the best uses of £ I can think of 🌹❤️📙📔📕📗📓
THE HACKNEY LANGUAGE OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL IS POLISH:
Join us for a National Year of Reading event through a Polish lens on 29/04/26 at Hackney Central Library 16.30 - 17.30
Today’s prompt is from the phenomenal @pjsamuelspoet who facilitates regular writing workshops @spktheword@shadedwriters@hackneylibraries
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PJ’S PROMPT:
Invitation: What things did you take for granted, what did you expect would always be there?
Context: You can contextualise this by thinking into a particular age or stage of your life, a specific situation or relationship. Could be around a particular event. Feel free to lean into the surreal.
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write in person with PJ at @hackneylibraries every 2nd Saturday of the month bit.ly/ShadedTickets (QTIBIPOC)
read online with PJ every 1st Wednesday of the month bit.ly/SistahsReading (queer womxns of colour)
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You are warmly invited to join our supportive, inclusive writing community, no previous experience necessary. We celebrate your creativity.
Free tickets on eventbrite:
SHADED WRITERS (Online & In Person)
bit.ly/ShadedTickets
(for QTIBIPOC)
SPEAK THE WORD ONLINE POETRY SALON
bit.ly/SpeakTheWordTickets
(For everyone, all welcome)
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Libraries do so much for our communities, and bring so much joy into the world! đź’• Learn more about why we love libraries and the books we borrow from them at the đź”— in bio! đź“š
#LibbyApp #UKLibraries #LibraryCard #Bookish
Thinking about quitting but not sure where to start? đź’
Just drop in for friendly advice, free quit aids, and support that works at your pace
We’re at Shoreditch Library every Monday, 1–3pm - everyone welcome
🚨VCH is coming to your local area!🚨
Come and meet Volunteer Centre Hackney at Hackney Central Library tomorrow to find out about the amazing volunteering opportunities available in your community.
đź“… Weds 15th April
đź•™ 10:30 - 12:00
đź“Ť Hackney Central Library, E8 1GQ
#vchackney #volunteerhackney #hackney #volunteer
