Sitting
Everyone needs to be able to sit comfortably to really become involved in books and if the budget's too tight to provide a whole new book corner you could do worse than add some bean bags to your stock. Beanbags invite children to flop down and if they're placed next to some books the rest will follow. Letterbox stocks a range of beanbags with washable cotton covers that are designed to be hard wearing. The bags measure 56cm at the base and come in blue spotty, pink flower, pink sweetheart, pink, lilac, blue and red, priced 39.99 each.
Telephone 0870 600 7878
www.letterbox.co.uk
The Reading Corner (below) from NES Arnold can be arranged to suit your space. It includes two 'sofas' that measure 107(w) x 46(d) x 23(h)cm and 71(w) x 46(d) x 23(h)cm, plus two bolsters that measure 107(w) x 18(d)cm and six cushions, measuring 22 x 22cm. The Reading Corner comes in an assortment of mixed colours and all the covers are removable and can be machine washed. Priced Pounds 101.95 the set.
Telephone 0845 120 4525
www.nesarnold.co.uk
Kids & Things has a very broad range of 'library' furniture. The Library Seating Unit is designed to be easy to store away and can be enlarged to provide reading space for more children by pushing down the central pillar to create a level surface for sitting on or kept, as shown in the picture right, with the central pillar serving as a small book store. The unit is made from fire resistant foam with PVC covers that are easily wiped clean.
The unit measures 25(h) x 105(w) x 105(l)cm and is light enough to be lifted and stowed away at the end of each session. Priced 329.59.
Telephone 08458 506507
www.lfcdespatchline.co.uk
The Kinderseat is a combination of seating and storage. Made from MDF, this unit is flat packed for self-assembly and provides seating for four young children or two older ones. The unit also contains four large compartments for storing books and the seats have fire-resistant, zip-fastening, washable covers. The Kinderseat measures 120(w) x 60(d) x 30(h)cm, priced 209.95 from Hope Education.
Telephone 08451 202055
www.hope-education.co.uk
The Sensible Seat (below) is a new addition to the Kids & Things range and it also combines seating with storage. Made from MDF with cushion seating, the seat has a storage box concealed beneath a lift-up lid and is designed for two children to sit comfortably. A double-sided sofa is also available and this seats four and has storage space underneath both seats. These items come in a choice of maple or blue finish, with either blue and purple or red and yellow cushions. The two-seater measures 18.5(h) x 63.5(w) x 42(d)cm and is priced 112.99. The double-sided sofa measures 43(h) x 63.5(w) x 78.5(d)cm and is priced 189.99.
Contacts as before
Storing
The Library Panel (above) from Community Playthings can be wall-mounted to save space in your setting and it can also be attached to other pieces in the book display and storage range. The panel is made from maple from sustainable sources and comes with metal wall-fasteners. The unit measures 11(w) x 94(l) x 31(h)cm and has five transparent plastic sections to enable children to see what's on offer. The panel is priced 187.
Also available in this range, the Book Cart (not shown) has a clear plastic bin at child height and further storage space at ground level. The cart is on castors for easy storing away and comes with two dividers that can be moved along to accommodate differently-sized books and can also be used separately as book ends. The cart measures 36(w) x 94(l) x 61(h)cm, priced 216.
Telephone 0800 387457
www.communityplaythings.co.uk
Wesco's Library Boxes are made from 19cm-thick melamine-faced particleboards with thick anti-shock, rounded edges. The coloured sections in blue, green, red or yellow are made from lacquered MDF and all the units have wide castors. The book supports inside the boxes are transparent and the base of the boxes are designed to be 'anti-slip' to keep books in place. All the boxes come with a three-year guarantee. The Panoramic Library Box, (shown above, foreground) can hold about 100 books, measures 58 x 34.5cm and is priced 102.60. The Bookcase (shown above, right corner) comes with a detachable library box, built-in bookends and doors that can be used as display stands and are fitted with locks. This unit also has a fixed storage tray with handles for easy gripping. Measurements are 70(l) x 35(w) x 88 (h)cm, priced 334.40.
Telephone 0115 986 2126
www.wesco-group.com
The ABC Browser is a book storage unit with an abc motif at each end and six eye-level compartments. The Browser is designed to be non-tip and is made from 19mm-thick MDF, with two integral carry handles and optional castors. The unit measures 46(h) x 76(w) x 60(d)cm and comes flat packed.
Priced 179.99; a set of castors is priced 23.99, both from Kids & Things.
Contacts as before
