Last week I joined families at Blaydon Library to celebrate National Bookstart Day which is held each year to celebrate the national programme which gives free books to babies and toddlers. It aims to encourage parents and carers to share books with their children from as young an age as possible.
This year's theme was 'My favourite rhyme' and local children came dressed as characters from their favourite nursery rhymes for a special Bookstart Rhymetime in the library.
Booktrust, the independent charity which runs Bookstart, conducted a national survey to find out the nation's favourite rhyme. Top of the national poll was 'Twinkle twinkle little star' but families in the North East voted 'Incey Wincey spider' their favourite. All the children attending the rhymetime received a free book of the top eight rhymes.
Have you had your free Bookstart pack of books and resources? All children are entitled to three packs before they start school. The Bookstart pack for babies can be collected from your health visitor when you go for the 9-12 month health check. Bookstart+ for toddlers aged 18-24 months is given out at the 2 year health check and the Bookstart Treasure Chest for children aged 3-4 years is given out at early year's settings in the pre-school year. Each of the packs contains two specially selected books suitable for the age of your child, advice and guidance material for parents on sharing books and stories, and information about libraries with an invitation to join.
All the packs can also be obtained from your local branch library. Please take a look at Bookstart's website www.bookstart.org.uk for more information about the scheme.
Don't forget that your children can join any Gateshead Library from the day they're born - and it's completely free. All you need to do is sign for them. Gateshead Libraries also have a wide range of activities on offer for the under fives, including rhymetimes and storytimes. You will find further information on the website www.gatesheadlibraries.com or just pop into the library for details.
If you would like any further information about Bookstart or sessions at the library for your pre-school children please contact Susannah Whittock, the Bookstart Co-ordinator on 0191 433 8528.
Newcastle Chronicle and Journal
| Promoted by Paul Foy on behalf of Dave Anderson, both of St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5PT |