Youngsters invited to National Read a Book Day celebration

Young bookworms are being invited to mark National Read a Book Day at a special event hosted by Wolverhampton Health Visiting Service and the City of Wolverhampton Council's Library Service.

National Read a Book Day on Wednesday 6 September is billed as 'the perfect day to get lost in a good book', with children aged five and under, their parents and carers invited to join in the fun at Central Library from 10am-2pm.

There is an exciting line up of activities planned. Healthy Goals from Wolves Foundation will be holding an engaging Stay and Play session from 10.30am-11.30am, where little ones will be able to have fun while learning valuable skills.

Meanwhile, Daisie Lane, who wrote her children’s poem What About My Tummy, Mummy? after the birth of her daughter, Lily, will be delivering a live reading at 12.30pm.

Children will be able to make a bookmark to take home with them, there will be a surprise guest and a team of Health Visitors will also be present to answer any questions or concerns parents or carers may have.

Marion Astbury, Health Visiting Service Manager, said: “Reading with children or grandchildren is a real pleasure. Although my children are older now, I still remember the joy of sitting together and exploring make believe worlds and having adventures through reading books together.

“Not only does reading support development, learning and literacy throughout life, but it can also create a moment of stillness in a busy world.

“Please join us at our National Read a Book Day event and share your love of books and reading.”

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, added: "We are delighted to have teamed up with the Health Visiting Service to hold this special event which will highlight the crucial role reading plays in the early development of children.

"The National Read a Book Day celebration aims to empower parents and carers with valuable insights on the importance of fostering a love of reading in children from an early age, so please come along and join in the fun."

If you can't make it along on the day, don't worry as there are plenty of other opportunities for young children at the city's libraries, which host regular Baby Book Times, Story Times and Rhyme Times across the city. Meanwhile, free Book Start packs will be given away at all Wolverhampton libraries during the week, from Monday 4 September, 2023.

It's free to join Wolverhampton's libraries. For more information, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/libraries.