About Family Station: Casa do Livro
Join Brazilian authors Thaís Braga and Renata Formoso in an interactive storytelling session inspired by their books, inviting families to explore the Portuguese language through poetry, storytelling, maps and hands-on craft activities. Their sessions celebrate imagination, identity and the joy of reading together.
Educator and musician Juliana Biscalquin will lead Bossa Kids Playgroup & Storytime, a play-based session combining Brazilian Portuguese stories, songs and activities for children (with parents/caregivers) where kids can listen to stories and songs in Portuguese and English, learn new words, and make friends.
Families are then invited to enjoy a range of self-led activities available throughout the day at our Family Station and reading corner featuring a carefully curated selection of Brazilian books for children in collaboration with Casa do Livro. Explore interactive language activities and discover playful ways to engage with Portuguese at your own pace. Whether you are a fluent Portuguese speaker, learning the language or discovering Brazilian literature for the first time, you will have the opportunity to browse, read together and experience stories that celebrate Brazil's diverse voices.
Session times:
- Juliana Biscalquin, Bossa Kids Playgroup & Storytime: 11.30 – 12.00
- Thais Braga, Interactive Storytelling: 13.00 – 13.30
- Juliana Biscalquin, Bossa Kids Playgroup & Storytime: 13.45 – 14.15
- Renata Formoso, Interactive Storytelling: 14.30 – 15.00
Presented by Casa do Livro – Biblioteca Brasileira, in partnership with Portuguese as Heritage Language School Sabia Duvida. Through books, music, art and shared experiences, Casa do Livro creates welcoming spaces where families of all backgrounds can connect through stories, celebrate cultural diversity and discover the joy of learning a new language together.
Your support
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Times
Bossa Kids Portuguese Playgroup storytime: 11.30 – 12.00
Thais Braga Interactive Storytelling: 13.00 – 13.30
Juliana BIscalquin Bossa Nova workshop: 13.45 – 14.15
Renata Formoso Interactive Storytelling: 14.30 – 15.00
Family activities at the Library
We have lots of free family events and workshops in London and West Yorkshire. Spaces can fill up quickly, so please book ahead.
You can also pick up a Family Trail from the Information Desk to help you explore the Library further, and visit our free Treasures Gallery.
Food and drink
Families are welcome at all of the Library’s cafés and restaurants. The Terrace Café on the first floor has lots of seating (including an outdoor terrace for sunny days). Highchairs are available in the Terrace Café and the Upper Ground Floor Café, subject to availability.
Families with children may also bring their own food to eat outside on the Piazza or in our public spaces, and there are water fountains that can be used to refill water bottles across the building. Please do not consume food or drink inside the exhibition galleries.
Baby-feeding
Parents are welcome to breastfeed or bottle-feed anywhere in the Library. Please ask a member of Library staff if you would like help finding a quieter space.
Please note that we cannot heat bottles or baby food in our cafés and restaurants.
Bags, cloakrooms and lockers
Our cloakroom and digital lockers are free to use, located on the Lower Ground Floor with step-free access. Please note our cloakroom is closed on Sundays, but you can still use our lockers. View more information on our bags and luggage restrictions.
Baby-changing and toilets
There are baby-changing stations available in the following toilets:
- in the men's and women's toilets on the Lower Ground Floor, near the cloakroom
- in the women's toilets near Reader Registration on the Upper Ground Floor
- in the men's and women's toilets in the Terrace Café on the First Floor
- in the men's and women's toilets in the Knowledge Centre.
Accessible toilets can be found on all floors. The nearest Changing Places toilet is at King's Cross station.
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