What did they do?
- Three different libraries each held a Booktime rainforest party, turning their children’s rooms into rainforests for the day.
- The events were held in the February half term, and each was attended by around 30 children and 20 adults.
- Games included ‘Guess which rainforest animal I am?’, where everyone took it in turns to imitate different animals and ask questions about them.
- The librarians introduced lots of movement to keep families active during the event: children and adults competed in pairs to push the tropical lime fruit from one end of the room to the other using only their noses!
- Later on, everyone tasted and learnt about tropical fruits including papaya, figs, passion fruit, lychees, physalis and dragon fruit.
- The children helped create an amazing rainforest display for the wall in the children’s room and coloured rainforest animal masks to take home.
What do they say?
'I thought it was well organised and fun. It worked well for my boys, aged 3 and 5. I liked the variety and the fact that the activities were child-led and allowed creativity' Parent
'I enjoyed all of it. The fruit tasting was great...guessing the animal game was both educational and fun.' Parent
'The children enjoyed having the Booktime badges and stickers to take home.' Librarian
How can we do it?
- Branch out: why not make the Booktime book the theme for a whole day of activities. Stockport libraries used movement, food, games, crafts as well as stories to make their event really engaging and varied. There was something for everyone, with the story book as a hook for the activities.
- Plan centrally and provide session ideas and materials to branch libraries makes it easier for everyone to get involved in delivering Booktime.
- Invite parents, siblings, grandparents and friends gets the whole family involved in shared reading.
