Bear's Reading Adventure

Libraries are so much fun - and our sticker book is another great reason to visit one with your family.

You can find the book, Bear's Reading Adventure, in selected libraries across England. Free for families with children aged up to five, it follows the Bookstart blue bear mascot on his reading adventure, which takes him to the park, supermarket and library. However, there are ten objects missing in the book...

Collected all ten stickers? Download your certificate here

Print out and colour in your Bear's Reading Adventure bookmark 

Collect the ten stickers

Children can collect a missing object sticker every time they visit the library and put them in the special sticker book to take home. It's the perfect reason to visit the library more often and get children loving libraries and books.

When children have collected all ten stickers, they can download or print a certificate that celebrates their achievement. There's also a make-a-bookmark activity sheet you can download and colour in, too.

A good reason to read

Produced by BookTrust, in partnership with Igloo Books, Bear's Reading Adventure is illustrated by Jo Byatt and written by BookTrust's director of engagement and marketing, Gemma Malley, who says:

'Libraries are a wonderful resource, whatever your age. If you haven't joined your local library or visited for a while, then do take a moment to see what's going on. Reading with your child is fun and a great way to spend time together. If a parent reads to their children every day they will be almost 12 months ahead of their age group when they start school. Even reading to them three to five times a week gives them a six-month head-start over those who are read to less often.'

And Bookstart Coordinator Deborah Averill thinks the sticker book is a great way to encourage children to love their library:

'The quality of the book is fantastic, and children will love visiting the library to collect their stickers. A great incentive - and it's fun, too!'

Pop into your library

BookTrust created Bear's Reading Adventure to help libraries achieve the aims of the Association of Senior Children's and Education Librarians (ASCEL). Their 'children's promise' vows to give families more ways to participate and engage with their local library. It also wants to make those visits exciting and inspiring.

The sticker storybook will be piloted in selected libraries across England, so resources are limited. But don't worry if you don't live in England or you can't find the book near you. Most libraries offer a range of children's events and other fun activities. Why not pop in and see what's on going on?

Within some local authorities, only certain libraries hold Bear’s Reading Adventure, so ask at your library to see where you can get a copy. Also, some local authorities give out Bear’s Reading Adventure through their children’s centres, so you might well be able to pick up your sticker book there.

Happy adventuring!