Bookstart and library services for the under 5's

Has your baby been "Bookstarted" yet?
"Bookstart offers children a great start in their education; it offers the pleasure of sharing books to both adults and children and it encourages library membership that will give access to the wide range of wonderful children's books now available."
Wendy Cooling, Bookstart Consultant and keynote speaker at the 2005 Shropshire Bookstart Conference.

Bookstart is a national programme that encourages parents and carers to spend more time enjoying books with their babies and toddlers. It gives every child a free gift of a bag of books at around 8 months, 18 months and 3 years. There is also guidance material for parents and carers.

All Shropshire babies are entitled to Bookstart.

Bookstart Pack
Between the age of 6 and 12 months babies will receive from their Health Visitor an attractive canvas bag containing:

• two board books
• an activity rhyme place mat
• colour booklets about sharing books with babies
• an invitation to join the library

Please ask at your clinic if you haven't received your Bookstart bag yet.

Bookstart Plus for toddlers
This brightly coloured satchel includes:

• two books
• a colouring pad and crayons
• a 'numbers are Fun' bedroom frieze
• a set of book plates - illustrated stickers for children to place in their own books, saying "This book belongs to...". This encourages children to build their own book collection
• a book list and guidance leaflet
• 'More Things to do with Books' which focuses on early language and listening skills

If your toddler is aged between 18-30 months you can get a satchel from either your Health Visitor or local library.

My Treasure Chest
This is a treasure box with a secret compartment and contains:

• two picture books
• 'Treasure'- a book of ideas. A guidance leaflet which focuses on early language and listening skills
• a fiction and non-fiction book list for children and their parents
• a set of book plates
• a pack of coloured pencils
• a barrel pencil sharpener
• an A4 colouring pad

This is gifted through early years settings for children aged between 36-48 months. If your child does not attend a setting, please ask at your local library or your Health Visitor for a pack.

Bookstart Booktouch packs
This is a pack of books for visually impaired babies and children suitable up to the age of four. It contains tactile books for the child and advice for parents on reading with a visually impaired child. Please contact your Health Visitor or the Bookstart Coordinator for further details.

What else can you do?
Get your baby and toddler a library card!
You are never too young to join the library. It is free to join and you can borrow up to 10 books at a time. We welcome young children in all libraries in Shropshire and have a Family Friendly Policy to ensure your visit is as enjoyable as possible.

Join the Bookstart Bookcrawl
Babies and toddlers receive their own Bookcrawl collector card. Each time they borrow books from the library, they receive a sticker or stamp to go on the card. Once they have collected four stickers, they get a certificate. There are 10 different certificates to collect. Ask at your local library for more details.

Enjoy the special storytimes and baby bounce times
Come along and have lots of fun singing your favourite rhymes and sharing stories. Ask at your local library for what is on near you.

For further information about Bookstart visit www.bookstart.co.uk