Children under the age of four from Workington's Westfield Nursery are to be given free books at Moorclose library this Friday (20 April) as part of a national initiaitive to give children a good start in literacy.
Photographers are invited to the library at 10:00am where county councillor Roger Bingham, cabinet member responsible for Cumbria's libraries, and Workington's MP Tony Cunningham will be helping staff to hand out Bookstart bags to 20 children.
Bookstart is a national programme that provides free books to encourage parents and carers to enjoy reading with children from an early age. The scheme, which is administered in Cumbria by the county council's Library Service, provides three sets of book gifts for three different pre-school age groups.
Children aged up to one receive a Bookstart for Babies pack, containing two baby books, a nursery rhyme placemat, advice on sharing stories a booklist and an invitation to join a local library.
For children aged one to two, there is a Bookstart Plus pack, with a satchel-style bag, two books, a scribble pad and crayons, a booklist for toddlers and information about local libraries.
Friday's event will see children from Westfield Nursery receiving a Bookstart Treasure Chest pack which is given to three to four year olds, with the aim of encouraging a love of reading. The pack includes two books, an activity book, scribble pad and crayons.
Councillor Roger Bingham, said: "Children are never too young to start reading with their parents and carers. Bookstart is an ideal opportunity to encourage more children to enjoy books and hopefully encourage more families to come along and join their local library."
ENDS
Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228-606337
Notes
Bookstart is the national programme that encourages parents and carers to enjoy books with children from as early an age as possible. They want every child in the UK to develop a lifelong love of books. Bookstart gives the gift of free books to children at around eight months, eighteen months and three years, along with guidance materials for parents and carers. It is a public and private partnership and benefits from sponsorship from over 20 children's publishers, Red House Books and central funding from Sure Start. For further information about Bookstart, visit www.bookstart.org.uk