Hundreds attend Bookstart picnic in the park

Photo: Brian Taylor

Parents and children gather round for story-time in the park

Almost 1,000 parents, carers and children attended Bookstart Bear’s picnic in the park on Thursday and enjoyed free activities including story-time with songs, rhymes and games; jungle animal crafts and a fire engine.

The picnic was organised by Rochdale Borough Council to celebrate National Bookstart Week 2015.

Councillor Daalat Ali, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community, said: “We’re really pleased that so many children could join us for our picnic in the park and learn just how much fun books can be. The weather was fantastic and everyone had a really enjoyable time dressing up in jungle costumes, eating their favourite picnic food and getting involved in National Bookstart Week.

“The programme is a brilliant way for children to start reading and to develop a love of books. I hope they will all carry on reading in the Bookstart Bear Club in our libraries.”

The free Bookstart Bear Club runs on a weekly basis in six libraries across the borough. Itis the perfect way for parents to get into the habit of sharing stories, books and rhymes every day and shows children that reading is a fun activity that helps them bond with family, understand their world and get ready for school and beyond.

Details of times and locations is available from the events section of rochdale.gov.uk/libraries.

National Bookstart Week is an annual celebration of Book Trust’s flagship reading programme, Bookstart. It aims to reinforce to families the importance of getting in to the habit of reading every day - even if it’s just for ten minutes.

Diana Gerald, Chief Executive of Book Trust said: “As a mum, I treasure those wonderful shared moments reading with my child. You are doing something special, and for a few minutes the outside world stops while you read about elephants or pirates.

“Research has shown that reading to young children every day makes a huge difference in terms of their future confidence, communication skills, well-being and educational attainment. We believe very strongly that a book is not just a book; it’s a doorway. And we believe that doorway should be open to everyone.”