“Every child deserves to own a book”

It’s never too early to start sharing books, stories and rhymes.

Through Bookstart, BookTrust Cymru makes sure that every child in Wales has their own books at home and supports families to read together regularly.

Every child in Wales receives two special Bookstart packs, which are given to families by Health Visitors. Libraries in Wrexham coordinate with Bookstart and run Rhymetime and Storytime sessions to help you and your child enjoy books and rhymes and to keep on reading.

KIDS IN SCHOOL? FIND OUT IF YOU CAN APPLY FOR HELP TOWARDS SCHOOL UNIFORM COSTS AND MORE…

“Every child deserves to own a book”

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety said: “Bookstart is a great initiative which encourages a love of books, stories and rhymes from an early age. It’s great that our libraries work closely with Bookstart Cymru to deliver this initiative to the children of Wrexham. Our libraries also hold a great selection of events for young children throughout the year and I would like to encourage everyone to discover what their local library can offer them”

2,613 packs have been distributed in the last 12 months…

Bookstart has potentially reached over 8 out of 10 eligible children in Wrexham. More than 2,613 packs have been distributed via the Wrexham library service in the last 12 months. BookTrust believe that children who have an early introduction to books and are read to every day, benefit educationally, culturally, socially and emotionally.

Every child in England and Wales is entitled to a free Bookstart pack at two key stages before school. They are…

Bookstart Baby

The Bookstart Baby pack is usually gifted at your child’s 6-month health check. It contains an English and Welsh language book, carefully chosen to appeal to very young children, and a special booklet with ideas for sharing books, stories and rhymes.

Bookstart Early Years

The Bookstart Early Years pack is usually gifted at your child’s 27-month check. It contains an English and Welsh language picture book, and a booklet full of ideas for sharing books, stories and rhymes. The green Bookstart Early Years bag is designed for your toddler to hold – perfect for taking to the library.

Bookstart also offers free packs for children with additional needs, tips and guidance on reading together, resources and activities, and much more. They encourage families to share books, stories and rhymes from the first few months of life, to enjoy books and develop a love of reading for pleasure.

Reading and sharing books, stories and rhymes from an early age supports a range of outcomes, including positive early language, oracy and communication skills development, relationship building/ parent-child bonding and early literacy and staff in library services understand the importance of reading from a very young age.

Need help with school uniform costs? Find out if you’re eligible.