Pre-school learners

Bookstart

Bookstart, established in 1992, is a national bookgifting programme, through which Booktrust offer the gift of free books to all children at two key ages before they start school. It is co-ordinated in Bury by the library service.

Bookstart is proven to inspire the love of reading by encouraging all families to share stories and children who receive a pack are more likely to do better at school.

The Baby Bookstart pack, gifted by a Health Visitor at your baby's 9 month check, or available from libraries.

• a purple fabric bag with a carrying handle
• two board books
• a guidance leaflet on sharing books called Babies Love Books
• a black and white First Shapes Book
• a Bookstart Rhymes Poster

The Bookstart 'My Treasure Bag of Stories', gifted through your child's Early Years Setting in their pre-reception year, contains:

• a red fabric cross the body bag
• 2 quality paperback story books
• a book of ideas focusing on early language and listening skills entitled 'Treasure
• a pack of coloured pencils
• an A4 Make Your Mark pad

Story / Rhyme Times

Pre-school children and babies of all ages are welcome to come and enjoy story and rhyme times at all of our main libraries. These activity sessions are held to help develop early literacy and a love of books while socialising with other young children. They are aimed at under five-year-olds and their parents/ carers. Sessions are informal and on a drop-in basis. Staff read stories from a range of picture books available in the library and combine this with rhymes and singing. At some branches, it may be exclusively rhymes and songs for babies and younger children. Please enquire at the individual branch library. Times are as follows:

* please ring 0161 253 7560 to check next session date.

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