Bookstart

Bookstart Book Crawl

The Bookstart Book Crawl is an annual scheme for children aged 0-4 which runs from October to March. It encourages children to join the library free, borrow board books or picture books free, and receive a colourful sticker for every visit free.

Families benefit by having access to library services and special family focused activities, for example, Bookstart Rhymetimes and Story Times which provide informal opportunities for learning and the modelling of good practice for example, book sharing and using stories, songs andrhymes.

• Book Crawl Information for parents (pdf 37.2kb)

Bookstart is the first national programme to gift books to babies in the UK. It aims to encourage parents to share books with their children from as early an age as possible as this has proven benefits for parent and child. Research has shown that children, who have been introduced to books as babies, cope well at school with reading, writing and maths.

 

All libraries in Aberdeenshire are participating in the Bookstart programme and hold samples of each pack

 

Bookstart pack for babies aged 0-12 months

Babies are entitled to receive a Bookstart pack before they are a year old. These packs were first piloted in Aberdeenshire in 1999 and are now available through health visitors and libraries.

Bookstart + for toddlers aged 18-30 months

When toddlers are aged 18 months to 2 years, they are entitled to receive a second pack, Bookstart Plus. This colourful satchel contains 2 picture books, a colouring book/ scribble pad and crayons, a number frieze, bookplates and guidance material for parents on selecting and using books and related items.This pack is available through health visitors and libraries.

My Bookstart Treasure Chests for 3 year olds

This pack comes in a cardboard Chest with a secret compartment. It contains 2 picture books and a colouring book/ scribble pad and coloured pencils, a pencil sharpener, book plates, and ideas for parents on borrowing/ buying age appropriate books. It also contains a booklet with ideas for parents on developing their child’s communication skills and language through books and related activities. This pack is being distributed through early years settings.