National Bookstart Day

Bookstart is a national initiative that aims to give babies and toddlers a set of books to help them learn and interact with their parents.

Friday October 6 is National Bookstart Day and also marks the first year anniversary of Bookstart being extended throughout Darlington.

To celebrate Darlington Council will be running a special baby rhymetime session and handing out Bookstart packs to those who haven’t already benefited from the scheme.

Every child in Darlington between 18 and 30 months old is eligible for a Bookstart satchel and books and all children aged between two and three are eligible for a Bookstart treasure chest and books.

Anyone who has not received their pack is invited to the Crown Street Library between 10am and 4pm on Friday October 6 or 10am and 4pm on Saturday October 7 to pick up their books.

Various organisations such as the Children’s Information Service and breastfeeding support will also be at the library to give advice on a variety of childcare issues.

To mark the day, a special session of the popular baby rhymetime scheme, attended by the Mayor Eleanor Lister, will be held on the Friday for children helped by the Council’s Portage Service, which works with pre-school children with special needs to help their development.

For more information about the Crown Street library.

For more information about Bookstart.