Bookstart storytimes

Bookstart storytime session

Our Bookstart sessions are about enjoying sharing books, stories and singing with your child.

Bookstart is a national programme that encourages parents to share and enjoy books with their children from an early age. It aims to provide a free pack of books to every baby in the UK, to inspire, stimulate and create a love of reading that will give them a flying start in life. Most of all however they want to show that books are fun.

The first five years are the best time for learning to talk and most children’s language comes from adults close to them. Sharing books with babies and toddlers increases language skills and helps them to understand the world around them. Babies and toddlers who love books begin reading sooner and have a better start at school.

Books are available from libraries and children get their first pack of books at around eight months old, further packs are then gifted to toddlers aged 18 to 30 months. The third pack is given out through schools to children aged 31 to 38 months. For more information call into your local library, Sure Start Children's Centre or visit the Bookstart website.

Sure Start Children's Centres that offer Bookstart storytimes