Bookbug receives a warm welcome in Dingwall

The new mascot for an early years reading programme aimed at parents with children up to Primary 1 school age visited Dingwall recently.

Twenty-eight babies and toddlers and their parents and carers met the cuddly Bookbug mascot at Dingwall Library when they took part in a Bookbug session of stories, songs and rhymes.

The Scottish Book Trust’s Bookbug programme encourages all parents and carers to enjoy books with children from as early an age as possible, developing a lifelong love of books for children all over Scotland. The scheme, which is administered in the Highlands by The Highland Council’s Library Service, also aims to foster a love of books through a range of fun activities.

Free singing and rhyming Bookbug sessions will be a regular feature now in Dingwall Library every Thursday morning from 11am to 11.20am. The Library also runs fortnightly “Story Saturday” sessions for pre-school children from 3pm to 3.20pm.

The new early years programme, which replaces the former “Bookstart”, will see 2,500 free Bookbug packs of books gifted to children in the Highlands at the ages of six weeks, eighteen months, three years and Primary 1. 

A new parents’ guide to sharing books with children will be included in each pack which will have a reduced environmental impact.  The packs will be more inclusive, containing information on dyslexia and bilingualism, and the improved content will link into the Scottish education system.

A new website is up and running full of tips, advice and information about free Bookbug events at www.scottishbooktrust.com/bookbug and parents and guardians can sign up to a “Bookbug alert” to receive email reminders when it’s time for their child’s next free pack.

For further information about Bookbug events at Dingwall Library please contact Janet Hughes, Acting Community Librarian, Dingwall  School & Community Library tel: 01349 869871