MP Damian Hinds celebrates Bookstart with dads at Hampshire children's centre

Damian Hinds, MP for East Hampshire, celebrated National Bookstart Week with local fathers and their children.

Damian tell us about the event, held at Dads' Club at Chase Sure Start children's centre, Bordon:

It was a particular pleasure to be at the Saturday morning Dads' Club at Chase children's centre on the day before Father's Day.  The Club offers an opportunity for a variety of reading and play for fathers and their children, combined with a good breakfast. 

From speaking with some of the dads present, I know how much they value this time.

The interaction of reading with related play activities presents great opportunities for discovery, and the luxury of extended time away from the other distractions of home.  I noted that I am not alone in having strong favourites among the story books. In my case, I love What the Ladybird Heard for the lovely use of language and You Choose (known in our house as the Pirate storybook - as our daughter is particularly taken with that character) for the breadth of discussions it can start. 

But it was a particular treat on Father's Day weekend to have a really talented story-teller, from Hampshire libraries, on hand to bring to life stories that I had not come across before. 

The gift of a shared story is of such high value, and I commend Bookstart for what they do.

About Damian Hinds

Damian is the chair of the all-party group on social mobility, sits on the education select committee and has a very keen interest in the early years. He led a debate in the House of Commons in Jan 2011 about improving life chances for disadvantaged children, and was one of the first MPs to sign the Bookstart 20 pledge.