Libraries in Middlesbrough are giving families with children aged 0-5 years a free sticker storybook to encourage them to visit more from Thursday, March 3 – World Book Day 2016.
The first ten children joining the scheme in each Hub will also receive a WBD voucher.
The book, called Bear’s Reading Adventure, was written and produced by children’s reading charity BookTrust in partnership with Igloo Books, following feedback from library services that more encouragement is needed to get families into libraries.
The story follows BookTrust’s blue bear mascot on his reading adventure, which takes him to the park, supermarket and of course the library. However, there are ten objects missing from bear’s adventure which children are tasked with finding.
Children will earn a sticker of the missing object every time they go to the library, which BookTrust hopes will encourage families to visit the library regularly and read together every day, perhaps even making them New Year’s resolutions.
Martin Harvey, Middlesbrough Council’s Community Infrastructure Manager, said: “We are dedicated to getting families reading books and using our community spaces. Through Bookstart we gift books to every baby, nursery and reception aged child in Middlesbrough. Along with our newly designed library card by children’s author and illustrator Tim Hopgood, the Bear’s Reading Adventure shows our commitment to helping raise literacy amongst families in Middlesbrough.”
When children have collected all ten stickers they can download a certificate from www.bookstart.org.uk/bearsadventure which also contains more tips for families on how they can have fun reading together every day.
BookTrust created Bear’s Reading Adventure to help libraries achieve the aims of the Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians’ (ASCEL) Children’s Promise, to provide more opportunities for families to participate and engage with their local library services; and to make library visits inspiring and exciting.
The sticker storybook will be piloted in selected libraries across England from January 2016, so books are currently limited. Please make sure you visit your library early to avoid disappointment.
The book was illustrated by popular children’s illustrator, Jo Byatt, who said: “I was honoured to illustrate for such a wonderful project. My two girls have enjoyed BookTrust books in the past, so to be given the opportunity to recreate such wonderful characters to encourage children to use the library was a dream.”