Wokingham Borough libraries is celebrating National Bookstart Week 2016 with a Bookstart Rhymetime at Dinton Pastures Park on Monday 13 June and a whole host of storytimes and rhymetimes in its libraries throughout the week.
This year’s theme, Under the Sea, is based on A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea adapted by Jessica Law and illustrated by Jill McDonald. A copy will be given away to families during the week.
National Bookstart Week is an annual celebration of Book Trust’s flagship reading programme Bookstart. It aims to reinforce to families the importance of getting in to the habit of reading every day - even if it’s just for ten minutes.
From 6 to 12 June, there will be thousands of free events around the country for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their families, at libraries, children centres, nurseries and bookshops. Events will include stories, rhymes and lots of fun activities to inspire families to read together.
Across Wokingham Borough there following events take place:
Rhymetime in the Park on Monday 13 June (10am to noon at Dinton Pastures)
Rhymetimes at 10.30am and 11.30am. Children can create a shark hat and playdough sea creatures, along with other craft activities. Those who attend can also find out about communicating with your child and information will be available from the Health Visiting team, and about the services offered by the charity Homestart and Wokingham Borough Children’s Centres. A libraries goody bag can be collected along with a free A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea book and other information on the day
There will also be an Authors’ Corner with Cathy MacLennan, Suzanne Barton, Tina Stubbs and Layn Marlow who will be reading extracts from their books and Chapter One Bookshop will be selling the authors’ books on the day.
Bookstart storytimes
With under the sea themed tales and Shark hats to create take place at the following libraries:
- Spencers Wood Library on Monday 6 June from 4pm to 4.30pm
- Wargrave Library on Monday 6 June from 4pm to 4.30pm
- Wokingham Library on Tuesday 7 June from 4pm to 4.30pm
- Lower Earley Library on Thursday 9 June from 10.30am to 11.30am
- Woodley Library on Saturday 11 June from 11am to 11.30am
- Maiden Erlegh Library on Saturday 18 June from 10.15am to 10.45am
Under the sea Rhymetime with songs, rhymes and stories
- Wokingham Library on Tuesday 7 June from 10.30am and 11.30am
- Finchampstead Library on Friday 10 June from 11am to 11.30am
- Lower Earley on Saturday 11 June from 11am to 11.30am
Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for resident services, said: “Throughout National Bookstart Week we'll be encouraging parents and children to read together on a daily basis. The events, activities and resources will help families to see the benefits of reading together every day.
“Children who are read to every night start school a year ahead of those who are not and the gap only widens as they get older. Quite simply, children who read for pleasure are happier and do better in life than those who don’t.”
“Our Borough libraries offer an array of amazing books, ebooks, story and rhyme sessions and much more. They are always open to everyone.”
Under fives officer Claire Groves said: “Every child deserves a story and a cuddle, so that’s why this June UK charity Book Trust is calling for all parents and carers from across Wokingham Borough to support the love of books and sharing the magic of stories together. So come along and meet some authors at our event at Dinton Pastures, who will be sharing their stories. In the Authors’ Corner there will be Cathy MacLennan, Suzanne Barton, Tina Stubbs and Layn Marlow. Our local independent book shop Chapter One Bookshop will be selling the authors books on the day, and the authors will be happy to sign any books purchased."
More information
If families are unable to make it along to their local event they can join in the fun at home, with plenty of under the sea-themed arts and crafts, games and baking recipes - all available on the Bookstart website.
