How Brave Is The Wren

Art Club
Sunday 3rd November at 2pm-3pm
Ages 7-12
£10 per person

Art Club’s back next Sunday! Come join us for an hour of creativity and fun! This month, we’re making fantasy sculptures, so get your sculpting hands ready and prepare to make some magic.

Parents and carers - feel free to stick around or to leave your artists with us for the hour.

Suitable for ages 7-12 (just drop us an email if you’re any older or younger). Tickets £10 per person; just book on our website.

Can’t make this one? Don’t worry! Our next Art Club is on the 1st December.

Workshops take place at How Brave Is The Wren children’s bookshop at 4 York Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham, B14 7RZ.

Story Time with Helen Docherty
Wednesday 30th October
10:30am
Free/drop in

We’re very excited to be joined by award-winning children’s author Helen Docherty on Wednesday 30th October at 10:30 am for a very special story time and book signing session

Helen will be reading from and talking about her two new picture books, The Green-Fingered Witch (illustrated by Steven Lenton) and Superwolf (illustrated by Thomas Docherty).

No need to book just turn up on the day, all books will be available for purchase and you can get a personalised signed copy from Helen.

Story Time and Halloween Trail
Thursday 11am
Free / Drop In

Come and join us for some stories - and while you’re at it, give our spooky Halloween trail a go! Here’s what we’re reading this week:

- Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
- Moggie McFlea The Witch’s Cat by Anna Kemp and Adam Beer
- Scared? by Neal Zetter and Joshua Seigal

Story Times run every week Thursdays at 11am Fridays at 10.15am during term time
We read 3 books per session and are always happy to take requests. It’s free - no need to book - and aimed at children aged 0-5 (but all ages welcome).

You can find us at 4 York Road, Kings Heath Birmingham. B14 7RZ

HALF TERM FUN
Here’s what we’ve got lined up for you:

Tues 29th October 11am-3pm
Pop up bookshop & reading corner at
Booktober / University of Birmingham Family Day
Storytelling w/ Serena Patel author of the “Annisha Accidental Detective” series, 11:00 – 12:00
Bookmark Making Craft, 11:00 – 15:00
Interactive story session: A Rainbow for Amala with The Other Way Works 13:00 – 15:00
At The Exchange
3 Centenary Square, Birmingham B1 2DR
Free / Drop

Wed 30th October 10.30am
Author Story Time with Helen Docherty
Author of Someone Just Like You, is with us to celebrate her new books The Green Fingered Witch & Superwolf
Free / Drop in

Thurs 31st October 11am
Halloween Stories, costumes welcomed but not compulsory! We’ll be reading halloween themed stories suitable for all ages, nothing too scary we promise.

Then throughout the day you can join in our trick or treat scavenger hunt.

Fri 1st Nov 10.15am
Toni’s Tots Drama on Friday is now sold out, but we’ll be open for business as usual 11.30am-5pm

Sunday 1st October 2-3pm - Art Club we’ve got one place left for our monthly art club. Aimed at 7-12 year olds £10 per person, this month we’ll be creating temporary sculptures using plasticine, to imagine our own public sculptures
Book via the link in our profile

I’ll be off swanning about on holiday but my lovely team will be here to look after you, please be kind & don’t scare them too much 👻
.times.two

We’re open Wed - Sat 10am-5pm / Sun 10am - 3pm
You can find us at 4 York Rd, Kings Heath, B14 7RZ

Haunted House
By Jan Pieńkowski
Assistant illustrator Jane Walmsley
Paper Engineering Tor Lokvig

Enter if you dare!! Join the Doctor for a tour around the Haunted House, but will you make it out alive???
A reissue of a classic pop up book by Polish / British author & illustrator Jan Pieńkowski, creator of the Meg & Mog series. First published in 1979 it was given a slight revamp in 2005 by Walker books to celebrate 25 years, adding in 4 new pop ups and printed in its original large format.

Apologies to .f.harrold if this causes flashbacks, in doing some research I came across an article sharing how terrifying your four year old self found it, I can see why. Although I imagine it will mainly be terrifying parents due to the many moving parts.

Classic style pop up books are a tricky thing, the paper engineering and printing makes them expensive, but they aren’t built to sustain overhanding, in which case they become precious objects, which, to me, is something that children’s books shouldn’t really be.

My advice, if you love the book and the kids love it too, allow them to play with it and just accept that it will eventually fall apart….or buy two copies and keep one on a high shelf :)

Either way this book is either a lot of fun…or slightly terrifying depending on your perspective. We’ve got a couple of copies in stock £17.99 each

You can find us at 4 York Rd, Kings Heath, B14 7RZ

Author Visit: Helen Docherty
Wed 30th October 10.30am
Free

We’re very excited to be joined by award-winning children’s author Helen Docherty on Wednesday 30th October at 10:30 am for a very special story time and book signing session

Helen will be reading from and talking about her two new picture books, The Green-Fingered Witch (illustrated by Steven Lenton) and Superwolf (illustrated by Thomas Docherty).

All books will be available for purchase and you can get a personalised signed copy from Helen.

no need to book but you can let us know if you're planning to come by following this link:
https://howbraveisthewren.com/product/story-time-with-author-helen-docherty/

Join us for a spooky,fun filled drama adventure with Toni the trainee witch. Come and fly the magic broomsticks, make some magical potions and be chased by a hungry ghostie or two!
Friday 1st Nov 10.15am
£6 per child
Booking Essential
Suitable for children aged 2-8 years.

Toni’s Tots Halloween Drama Workshop / how brave is the wren Join us for a spooky,fun filled drama adventure with Toni the trainee witch! Come and fly the magic broomsticks, make some magical potions and be chased by a hungry ghostie or two!

Bumper selection of new and returning board books in the shop today, all looking lovely in the bright sun light too!!

We’ve got books for kids of all ages from newborns up to teenagers and anyone who just loves children’s books despite their age (that’s me!)

You can find us at 4 York Road, Kings Heath Birmingham. B14 7RZ

Opening hours Wed-Sat 10am-5pm / Sun 10am-3pm

Story Time Friday 10:15am
Free / Drop In

Come and join us for some stories! Here’s what we’re reading this week:

- Little Penguin, Where Are You? by Ekaterina Trukhan
- Too Snappy to Wear a Nappy by Lillias Kinsman-Chauvet
- Nibbles the Very Hungry Book Monster by Emma Yarlett

Story Times run every week Thursdays at 11am Fridays at 10.15am during term time
We read 3 books per session and are always happy to take requests. It’s free - no need to book - and aimed at children aged 0-5 (but all ages welcome).

You can find us at 4 York Road, Kings Heath Birmingham. B14 7RZ

Story Time Thursday 11am
Free / Drop In

Come and join us for some stories! Here’s what we’re reading this week:

-When Grandad Was A Penguin by Morag Hood
- Five Little Trains by Camilla Reid
- Imagine If… Bugs! by Aya Watanabe

Story Times run every week Thursdays at 11am Fridays at 10.15am during term time
We read 3 books per session and are always happy to take requests. It’s free - no need to book - and aimed at children aged 0-5 (but all ages welcome).

You can find us at 4 York Road, Kings Heath Birmingham. B14 7RZ

Rare glimpse of yellow sun on York Road this Saturday morning waking up all the colours. Come in for a whole variety of words, pictures and - just in - fresh art supplies.

Story Time Thurs 11am
Free / Drop in

Come and join us for stories, here’s what we’re reading this week.

Story Times run every week Thursdays at 11am Fridays at 10.15am during term time
We read 3 books per session and are always happy to take requests, its free no need to book and aimed at children aged 0-5 but all ages welcome.

You can find us at 4 York Road, Kings Heath Birmingham. B14 7RZ

After school art club

Last nights after school art club was chaos and I was shattered, but looking back at the pictures it was worth it!! It’s just the natural consequence of inadvertently taking in snails and slugs in amongst the art materials. ( apologies to the snails & slugs, I assure you they weren’t harmed, at least not physically, emotionally they may be a bit scarred )

Temporary collages made using natural materials found on the way to school, inspired by Andy Goldsworthy.

Stories Unite
Fri 18th October 7pm
Free
Families welcome

Join us for a chance to watch the short film / documentary “Stories Unite” by film maker Rajab Mahmood, capturing experiences of moving to Kings heath & Brandwood, exploring how dialogue around identity and culture can break down barriers.

With a Spoken word performance by Ricky Vintage and a guest panel Q & A following the film.

This event is presented as part of Unity Festival Fringe 2024 by Kings Heath United Against Racism

You can find us at 4 York Road, Kings Heath Birmingham. B14 7RZ

Happy bookshop day!!

There are prizes to be won if you find one of our hidden bookshop day vouchers, no purchase necessary, just keep your eyes peeled 👀

Psst they’re not all in our shop!!

Vouchers are only valid today (12th October) so bring them in if you find one. We’re open 10am-5pm you can find us at 4 York Rd, Kings Heath, B14 7RZ

Book Shop Day Story Time 11am TODAY!!
Sat 12th October
here's what we're reading

You can find us at 4 York Road, Kings Heath Birmingham. B14 7RZ

BOOKSHOP DAY
Sat 12th October

We’re celebrating Bookshop day with a special Saturday / Family edition of our story time at 11am, its free, you don’t need to book, just get yourselves out of bed, preferably dressed but pyjama’s also allowed and join us at 11am to listen to some brilliant stories, all ages welcome.

There’s also some hunting to be done, as you’re browsing through the books keep your eyes peeled, if you find one of our hidden bookshop day tokens you’ll win a book related prize

There may even be some hidden amongst our York Road neighbours. Vouchers valid for Saturday 12th October only.

So don’t forget to get out and about and show some love to your local bookshop, we’ve got lots of lovely bookshop neighbours go and say hi to them:


And a bit further a field have a look out for our friends:


And a special shout out to for this years beautiful illustration

We’ll be open tomorrow 10am-5pm
And you can find us at
4 York Rd, Kings Heath, B14 7RZ

THANK YOU!!

for a brilliant school visit yesterday, our household have been dedicated fans of M G Leonard’s books ever since we read the Beetle Boy trilogy many moons ago (Can’t believe its 10 year anniversary is approaching!) yesterday Colmore Juniors & Wheelers Lane Primary got to hear all about her latest book The Ice Children and the inspirations behind it.

The Ice Children follows the quest of Bianca as she tries to uncover the mystery of her five year old brother Finn who is found frozen on a pedestal of ice, he’s alive but no one can wake him and no one knows how to save him, Bianca’s mission hurls her into a fantastical winter wonderland, full of beauty, danger and irresistible spirit animals, where all is not as it seems.

Anyone preparing for a winter read this is the one!!
We’ve got some signed copies, along with other M.G.Leonard classic’s The Beetle Boy Trilogy, The Twitch series and Adventures on Trains with Sam Sedgman

You can find us at 4 York Road, Kings Heath Birmingham. B14 7RZ

Story Time Friday 10.15am
Free / Drop In

Come and joins us for some stories
here’s what we’re reading this week:

- Up High by Matt Hunt
- Moon by Britta Teekentrup
- Oh Are You Awake by Bob Shea & Jarvis

Story Times run every week Thursdays at 11am Fridays at 10.15am during term time
We read 3 books per session and are always happy to take requests, its free no need to book and aimed at children aged 0-5 but all ages welcome.

You can find us at 4 York Road, Kings Heath Birmingham. B14 7RZ

Story Time Thursday 11am
Free / Drop In

Come and joins us for some stories
here’s what we’re reading this week:

- Bird Bath by Steve Antony
- Meek and the big red potty by Camilla Reid & Nicola Slater
- Where’s Mrs Fox by Ingela P Arrhenius

Story Times run every week Thursdays at 11am Fridays at 10.15am during term time
We read 3 books per session and are always happy to take requests, its free no need to book and aimed at children aged 0-5 but all ages welcome.

You can find us at 4 York Road, Kings Heath Birmingham. B14 7RZ

Art club
Collage

Here’s a few results from todays art club, we kicked off with some drawing games followed by collage, I Love all of these pictures. I didn’t manage to capture everyone’s work but they were all fantastic.

We’re trialing art club the first Sunday of the month 2-3pm for the next couple of months. There are still a few spaces left for November & December.

All sessions take place at:
how brave is the wren bookshop
4 York Road, Kings Heath Birmingham. B14 7RZ

For full details and booking see the link in our profile

Just in time for Halloween- Moggie McFlea - The Witch’s Cat has arrived to wreak havoc on the Wren’s window & the good witch Magic Mags. Thank you to the marvellous for our diabolical makeover & for signing copies of his & Anna Kemp’s deliciously spiky tale.

Available at our shop from today, you can find us at 4 York Road, Kings Heath Birmingham. B14 7RZ

Thursday 3rd October is National Poetry Day! We’re celebrating with a new anthology - Cosy Poems, as chosen by Gaby Morgan. Plus, a few poems we like, from Brian Bilston, Jay Hulme, and Joshua Seigal.

Under 5’s Art Club

What an amazing first session, thanks to everyone who booked on, we loved seeing all of your brilliant creations!! Here are a few photos of the glorious, creative chaos that ensued, making wearable sculptures, inspired by the short film Down To Earth.

We’ve got two more sessions lined up for 8th & 15th October 1.15pm-2.15pm

Each session takes inspiration from a short film, the next session is “Object Collage” exploring colour and shape through plastic objects and coloured card.

Tickets are £7.50 per child

All sessions created and led by who (when not reading stories to everyone on a Friday morning) is a Birmingham based artist specialising in performance, sensory exploration, food and facilitation, her imaginative environments foster exploration and spark imagination.

All sessions take place at:
how brave is the wren bookshop
4 York Road, Kings Heath Birmingham. B14 7RZ

For full details and booking see the link in our profile

Story Time Thursday 11am
Free / Drop In

Come and joins us for some stories
here’s what we’re reading this week:

- Max the Brave by Ed Vere
- Oh, Are You Awake? by Bob Shea
- Imagine If… Bugs! by Aya Watanabe

Story Times run every week Thursdays at 11am Fridays at 10.15am during term time
We read 3 books per session and are always happy to take requests, its free no need to book and aimed at children aged 0-5 but all ages welcome.

You can find us at 4 York Road, Kings Heath Birmingham. B14 7RZ