Bookstart
For preschool children Bookstart is the perfect introduction to reading. Children aged between 0 and 4 can join at their local library for free.
What is
Bookstart?
Bookstart offers free books
to all children at two key ages before they start school, to
inspire a love of reading.
All Northumberland babies are entitled to receive:
Northumberland Libraries provide support and welcome to
Bookstart families.
Bookstart Bear Club
The Bookstart Bear Club is the fun and free membership reward
scheme for all babies, toddlers and preschoolers. If your
child is aged between 0 and 4 they can join the club, and best of
all it's free. Just contact your local library to join.
Your child receives a certificate for
collecting six stamps.
There are ten certificates to collect in
different colours and designs for each stage.
When your child completes the Club they receive a gold
certificate!
Your child receives a stamp for:
- borrowing books;
- attending a Rhyme or Story Time at the library;
- attending events such as Story Time at a Children's
Centre;
- using online
resources from the Bookstart website at home.
"Upon starting school, the Bookstart
children were significantly ahead of their classmates in all
Reading and Number assessments.
At age seven the Bookstart children were still ahead in
learning."
Professor Barrie
Wade and Dr Maggie Moore (Bookstart)
For more
information on Bookstart Bear Club please click here to visit
the website.
Bookstart Books
Click on the book covers below to find these
examples in the library catalogue.
Rhyme Time and Story Time
Encourage an early love of language by sharing rhymes and
song. Rhyme and Story Times help to develop speech and
lay a firm foundation for skills such as learning to read. A
selection of our libraries run story and rhyme time sessions during
term time:
Alnwick Library
Stories, Rhymes and Crafts every Monday 2pm - 2.45pm during
term time. Come and join Helen for an afternoon of stories,
rhymes and crafts for babies and toddlers. For children aged 6
months to 3 years, and their parents or carers.
Ashington Library
Story and Rhyme Time every Thursday 2pm - 2.30pm during
term time. Come and join us for stories, rhymes and songs for
babies and toddlers their parents and carers.
Bedlington Library
Story and Rhymetime for 0-4yrs every Friday 2.15pm-2.45pm.
Come and join us for story and rhymetime. Suitable for
children aged 0-4 years.
Berwick Library
Bookstart Bear Club fortnightly 2pm - 2.45pm on a Friday
during term time. An afternoon for babies, toddlers and their
families and carers. Join Diane and friends to sing and hear
stories. Simple crafts for young children. For children aged 6
months - 3 years.
Blyth Library
Bounce and Sing every Friday 9.30am - 10am. Come and join
us for stories, rhymes and songs. Suitable for age-0-4yrs. The
contact is Maureen Thompson at Blyth Library.
Guide Post Library
Storytime and crafts at Guide Post Library. Every Wednesday
9.15am - 9.45am during term time. Suitable for 0-4 yrs.
Morpeth Library
Storytime and Crafts at Morpeth Library. Every Wednesday
during term time 2.15pm - 2.45pm. Suitable for 0-4
yrs.
Please contact the individual library for more information on
these sessions.
Children with Additional Needs
Click here for more information about books
for children with additional needs.
Contact Us
For more information on the Bookstart Bear Club please
ask a member of staff at your
local library.
For more information on Bookstart in Northumberland
contact Pat Hallam.
