More than 2,500 libraries across England are taking part in a pilot of the BookTrust Storytime project in the autumn.
Funded by Arts Council England, the project will bring together local authorities, library staff, authors and illustrators to test new ways of inspiring shared early years story experiences through local libraries.
The project will also incorporate BookTrust’s existing Storytime Prize, which celebrates the best early years children’s books. The shortlisted books for the prize are being announced today (Wednesday) - see below.
It forms part of the BookTrust’s new strategy to find the most effective ways to support families who need more help beginning their ‘reading journeys’. It is also hoped that the pilot project will help libraries reconnect with their local communities after a year of closures due to the covid-19 pandemic.
A recent survey of 1,000 families in poverty with a child under five, carried out by the charity, found that less than half are registered with a public library.
Under the pilot, all libraries in England will be invited to take part and receive a pack of BookTrust’s Storytime prize shortlisted books and access to a range of digital resources.
On top of receiving the books and resources, around 300 libraries across the country will be asked to run Storytime sessions for families. A further 10 libraries will work intensely with BookTrust to test a range of additional ideas, materials and activities to further inspire and motivate families to read regularly.
Diana Gerald, chief executive of BookTrust, said, ‘Our bold new strategy is focused on finding innovative ways to ensure children from disadvantaged families are not left behind. Working with the local authorities and library services that share these ambitions, our BookTrust Storytime experience will remind families about the treasure trove of support available from their local library and kickstart visits as we emerge from the pandemic.’
Sir Michael Morpurgo, President of BookTrust, added, ‘I first walked into a library when I was about three, I think. It lent us the first books I ever loved, and I’ll never forget that. Every library is a pathway to enjoyment, knowledge and understanding, and, to me, every librarian is a hero because they pass on what they love to children, making readers and writers of them, and bringing joy to their lives. It is wonderful that BookTrust and libraries across the country are working together and using their invaluable expertise to do something new and different to support more families discover the joy of reading.’
Storytime prize shortlist
The books shortlisted for the Storytime prize, which celebrates the best books for sharing with babies and children under are:
- Octopus Shocktopus! by Peter Bently & Steven Lenton (Nosy Crow)
I Really, Really Need a Wee! by Karl Newson & Duncan Beedie (Little Tiger Press)- No! Said Rabbit by Marjoke Henrichs (Scallywag Press)
- The Whales on the Busby Katrina Charman & Nick Sharratt (Bloomsbury Children’s)
- Lenny and Wilburby Ken Wilson-Max (Alanna Max)
- Arlo The Lion Who Couldn't Sleep by Catherine Rayner (Macmillan Children’s Books).
