Event with families
Why not use a library storytime to link up to the Booktime programme?
Why not hold special sessions for parents and carers of children who receive Booktime
Before your event
- Work with your reception class teachers in your area to find the best date and time for any special Booktime parents’ and children’s session.
- Arrange to visit the school towards the end of the school day to meet parents and carers and hand out Booktime posters to promote the session.
Ideas for the session
- Welcome parents and carers to make them feel at ease, especially if they haven’t visited before.
- Have a story early on
- Include a simple fun activity. For example, 'library eye spy', or 'guess the name of the library toys', or why not show a range of special library resources (the biggest book, the newest toy, the most beautiful picture book).
- Finish with a creative activity – there's plenty of activity sheets to download and photocopy
- It's a good idea to record how many people came and any lessons learned from your session for the next time.
Help parents and children get more from your library
- Chat informally over simple refreshments at the end. This is a good time to mention other services your library may provide, such as information about adult learning classes run by local colleges and Chatterbooks reading groups or other after school or half term activities
- Give out special Booktime stickers, exclusive to libraries, a Booktime reading certificate or other promotional items as incentives or rewards to any children who attend linked family reading events.
- Show where in the library they can find similar books with similar themes (for example books about animals, nature and Africa link well with Why Elephant has a Trunk.)
- Say a few words about how the library staff can help with finding suitable books and stories. Encourage families to make a library visit part of their weekly routine. Advertise any regular storytimes or events using flyers.
- Highlight good websites where they can get further children’s book recommendations such as our Have Some Fun or Books section
Cheshire: Make amazing displays!
Discover how libraries in Cheshire set up an amazing Booktime display that children and adults loved.
Download Booktime activity sheets
Get colouring sheets, masks and puppets to make, based on this year's books.
Also get great ideas for sessions themed around speaking and listening, learning about the world and much more.
