Cheshire

Children can add leaves to a reading tree with every book they read – why not create one in your library?

Discover how libraries in Cheshire set up an amazing Booktime display that children and adults loved.

What did they do?

• Set up a fantastic Booktime display in Little Sutton Library

• Included a Booktime reading tree in the display, where children could add leaves with every book they read

• Sent letters to schools asking them to come and visit the library, to listen to stories and take part in activities

Why does it work?

• Makes reception pupils’ first class visit to the library special and memorable

• Makes great use of Nick Sharratt’s wonderful artwork for Booktime.

• Encourages local schools to arrange class visits by promoting the library’s events and activities

• Children were able to contribute to the display by adding their very own leaves to the branches of the Booktime reading tree. They knew that each time they came to visit the library they would see the tree growing bigger and brighter.

What do they say?

We had the idea of making the library somewhere that children felt was a comfortable, happy and homely place to be.

 

Each Nick Sharratt picture told a different story: Daddy telling a bedtime story, quiet time with Mum and even a family picnic in the park!

 

We all took pleasure in the comments people made about how bright and cheerful the display was. It definitely had the 'wow' factor when people entered the doors of our library.

How can we do it?

• Design an invitation for branch libraries to adapt and forward to schools

• Have something special to offer schools as part of the Booktime programme: a fantastic display to make a great setting for bookgifting, or newly developed events and activities to inspire teachers and their classes. Every primary school in your authority receives Booktime book packs, so it’s a great chance to make contact with schools who might not usually visit.