Suffolk Libraries is launching a brand-new reading programme for 0-5 year-olds to encourage a love of reading and books from an early age.
Forest of Stories aims to encourage families with young children to read together every day and to visit the library every week to borrow more books. It will also help to increase literacy skills in young children to help them get ready for school.
Forest of Stories features a friendly group of animals which were created for Suffolk Libraries Wordplay activities in 2019 – including Oona the owl, a fox, squirrel, hedgehog, duck and hare.
The group of animals and their forest surroundings will feature in a beautiful map and set of stickers which families can collect from libraries for free from 13 January so they can begin their adventure in the Forest of Stories.
Families can join the Forest of Stories reading programme at any time. The pack contains everything a family needs to begin their reading journey at home and to build reading into their daily routine, whether by reading at bedtime or just finding some quiet moments each day to share a story. Stickers are given to reward daily reading to encourage families to read together every day.
Erin Hamilton, Suffolk Libraries Children’s Librarian, said:
“Reading with your child is a wonderful way to help them grow and learn. Creating a daily routine of sharing stories and rhymes helps your child to develop their communication skills and begin to understand the world around them. It’s also a great bonding time for you and your child.
“We want to launch this new programme to help engage more families and encourage them to read together and visit the library regularly. Libraries are calm, welcoming spaces for new parents where families are welcome to explore and borrow our books or taking part in our range of children’s activities.”
It’s been proven that learning to read and visiting libraries from a very young age can make a real difference to a child’s education and achievement in later life. The new programme is being launched just a few months after a report released by the National Literacy Trust revealed worrying statistics about children and young people’s enjoyment of reading . The research revealed only 1 in 3 (34.6%) 8 to 18-year-olds say they enjoy reading in their free time.
Suffolk Libraries is also launching a new Children & Families Newsletter which you can sign up to on our website.
Find out more about Forest of Stories and how you can collect a free pack.
