Case study: gifting the packs

Read about how the reception teachers at Monteney Primary School in Sheffield made giving out their pupils’ book packs special.

How did you first present the book packs to the class?

• First we read the book aloud to the children, telling them that we had a special surprise for them after they had heard the story. The children loved the book and enjoyed listening to the story.
• Then we brought out the book packs. We asked them to guess what they thought might be inside and listened to their ideas.
• We opened up the pack, introduced the Booktime character, Booky, and showed them the contents, finishing with the book, which they immediately recognised from the book we’d just shared.
• We then told them that they would be able to have a book pack each to take home and keep to share with their family.
• We handed out the book packs and let the children explore them independently. We then read the story book again, allowing the children to look through their own book as we read.

What were the children’s reactions when you gave out the packs?

The children were really excited to get the book packs to take home. Lots of children don't have experience of having books at home and don't own books of their own and they loved having the books and the bag to keep them in.
All the children went home very excited, wearing the book packs on their backs and it was the first thing they went to show parents and carers about as they came to collect them.

Did the school communicate with parents about Booktime?

We sent a letter to parents to explain what the book packs were and invited parents into school to share the book packs with their child in class. We had a half hour session before home time one day where parents came into school and read the books to their children in the classroom. The children really enjoyed this and it made the book packs even more special for them.

What benefits do you see Booktime bring to the children and families at your school?

Children who don't otherwise have books at home or own a book of their own get the opportunity to have books to keep and share with their families. They often talk about the books and have been reading them at home so have obviously really appreciated them.