Your packs and how you can use them
Plus, find out about the books that can help you get families started on their own reading adventures.
Bookstart Storyteller pack
A set of books, resources, activities and props for you to use to lead children and families on storytelling adventures.
Bookstart Toddler Family pack
This pack is aimed at children aged 1-2 and their families, to help them discover and share books together. The pack contains two books, two activity cards, and a finger puppet to help bring stories to life.
Bookstart Nursery Family pack
This pack is aimed at children aged 3-4 and their families, to help them continue to enjoy shared reading. The pack contains two books, two activity cards, and a Roarsome Reader headband to colour in and wear.
The BookTrust Cymru Toddler and Nursery Programme provides resources for lower income families with children aged 1-4, who may need more help to make shared reading a regular part of their lives.
Using your packs: tips and ideas
Books are not a natural part of family life for everyone. By showing families how fun and easy sharing stories can be, as well as helping them understand how it makes a difference, you can play a pivotal role in starting them on their own reading journeys.
You might try:
- Letting families know that there's no 'wrong way' to enjoy stories and books together. They don't have to sit quietly and read a book cover-to-cover – just looking at the pictures and chatting about what they see can open up a whole new world for their child.
- Showing families how sharing stories can start conversations with their child, how books and stories can be a catalyst to having different conversations – about their feelings, about what they see in the park, about the weather, about near-enough anything!
- Pointing out to parents and carers where their little one is enjoying the story, even in unexpected ways – looking at the pictures, laughing at silly voices – and reassure them that their child is getting something out of it.
- Letting families know that reading doesn't have to be perfect, it's about enjoying books and stories together in any way that works for them.