The Bookstart Bear comes to Barnsley

CHILDREN’S favourite the Bookstart Bear will be making a visit to locations across Barnsley this month as part of celebrations for the National Year of Reading.

The big blue bear will be calling at libraries and other venues throughout the borough until Thursday, 22 May, to enjoy stories and rhymes with pre-school children.

Young children can collect stickers each time they visit a library to borrow books, with a certificate issued after four visits. There are several designs to collect and parents can find out more about the scheme at their local library.

The Bookstart Bear will be at the following locations during May:-

• Wednesday 14, 1.30pm to 3pm, PALS group, Kendray resource centre,
• Thursday 15, Barnsley Metrodome, appearance at national breast feeding awareness week event,
• Friday 16, 10.15am to 11.15am, Barnsley central library toddler group,
• Monday 19, 10.15 to 11.15, Hoyland Nether library, story and rhyme with Sure Start,
• Monday 19, Jump Jungle library,
• Tuesday 20, 10am to 11am, Wombwell library, a specially organised story and rhyme session in honour of the bear’s visit,
• Wednesday 21, 10am to 11am, Penistone community library, learning and information centre, baby and toddler story and rhyme time,
• Wednesday 21, 1.45pm to 2.45pm, Acorn Centre, Grimethorpe,
• Wednesday 21, 2.30pm to 3.15pm, Roundhouse lifelong learning centre library, a specially organised story and rhyme session in honour of the bear’s visit,
• Thursday 22, 1.30 to 4.30, Dearne community children’s centre, babies and beyond – library service for new born to 11 year olds.