Free sticker book gets families to libraries

Children can collect stickers every time they visit a library and put them in special sticker book to take home.

The new book called, Bear’s Reading Adventure, was developed in partnership with Igloo Books, after librarians reported families need more encouragement to visit libraries.

It is free from libraries for families with children aged 0-5 years.

The sticker storybook will be piloted in selected libraries across England from January 2016, so resources are currently limited.

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.

Author of Bear’s Reading Adventure and Director of Engagement and Marketing at BookTrust, Gemma Malley said: “Libraries are a wonderful resource, whatever your age.

“If you haven’t joined your local library or visited for a while, then do take a moment to see what’s going on.

“Reading with your child is fun, and a great way to spend time together. If a parent reads to their children every day they will be almost 12 months ahead of their age group when they start school.

“Even reading to them three to five times a week gives them a six-month head-start over those who are read to less often.”

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.