Bracknell

Budding Bracknell bookworms will be encouraged to start reading books this autumn as part of a scheme called Bookstart.

Now in its second year Bookstart gives Bracknell youngsters fun reading material to enjoy with their parents and carers to help them develop a lifelong love of books.

The scheme provides families with a free pack containing two books appropriate to their age.

Parents can pick up the first pack at their child's seven to nine-month health check and there are follow-up Bookstart Plus packs for 18 month year-olds and My Bookstart Treasure Chest packs for three year-olds.

Each pack also includes crayons and stickers.

A series of information sessions at Bracknell Council's libraries has been organised around National Bookstart Day on October 6. These will give parents and carers the chance to find out more and pick up a pack for their child and the dates are as follows:

Bracknell Library, Town Square, Bracknell

10.30 -11.15am

Wednesday September 13

Thursday October 19

Tuesday November 7

Tuesday December 12

Whitegrove Library, 5 County Lane, Warfield, Bracknell

10.30 -11.15am

Tuesday October 10

Harmans Water Library, The Square, Harmans Water, Bracknell

10.30 -11.15am

Tuesday November 16

Parents should take their red health record book to collect their child's pack.

Cllr Alan Ward, Executive Member for Education and Libraries, said: "This scheme encourages young children to see reading as fun and it introduces them to books as a way of learning.

"If children enjoy books during their early years they are more likely to develop a lifelong love of them.

"And once they're hooked on books they'll be able to explore the great range of reading material at one of our excellent libraries."

Bookstart is a national scheme being run by Booktrust, a charity dedicated to promoting books and reading.

For more information visit: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/libraries

Bracknell Forest Borough Council