Cornwall

Throughout Cornwall over 1000 Treasure Chests were gifted to children through nurseries and pre schools, also the pre school Learning alliance promoted National Bookstart Day in pre-schools and toddler groups, gifting Bookstart+ packs throughout the county.
 
Settings held special storytimes and had activities related to the jungle theme for the day. Libraries held special story time and baby bounce and rhyme times with a jungle theme and extra activities. Children centres celebrated the day with jungle themes and activities and special events.
 
Feedback from some events

Wadebridge library had a visit from local children’s author John Cleave who read a story and spoke to about 50 children from St Mabyn School about his “Gully” books.

Mums and tots in Launceston’s Bounce, Rhyme and Storytime group really enjoyed this years jungle theme for National Bookstart day. 18 little ones coloured in pictures of parrots and made monkey masks, while listening to Julia Donaldson’s ‘Monkey Puzzle’. Everyone took a rhyme sheet to enjoy at home, along with their jungle adventure books. Our other customers commented on how much fun everyone was having and how nice it was to see youngsters enjoying the library.
 
Treverbyn Children’s Centre held a special story time with Heather Hunt , Bookstart coordinator reading books from the Treasure Chest, and gifted Treasure Chests and Bookstart plus to their children, every one had a lovely time.

“We had an excellent day on Friday, National Bookstart day, at Beacon Infants, Bodmin. The Nursery staff dressed up as animals and so did the children. We had lots of cats, tigers and a dog or two (including a Dalmatian) and worryingly a parrot with that lot.
Everyone was very pleased with the pack and got a Bookmark and a few stickers as well.
I talked to parents a bout Bookstart as we gifted the packs when they collected their children.”
Susan Croney, Family Learning Tutor.
 
Biscovey School, St Blazey held special Story times with Heather Hunt, Bookstart coordinator reading to reception and nursery children. “ it was lovely to talk to the reception children and find out how much they had enjoyed their packs and remembered the special day we held last year when the Bookstart Bear visited them and they received their packs” Heather.
 
Torpoint Library had a very successful jungle baby bounce and rhyme with about 25 mums and babies attending. There was face painting, mask making, jungle snacks and we gave out lots of Bookstart packs.
 
Hayle Children’s Centre held a themed day and had a party.
 
St Mary’s School Penzance held activities in their nursery and gifted 25 Treasure Chests.
 
St Breock Beacons
Just to let you know we had a fantasic day on Oct 5th when all the children dressed up as their favourite book character.  Both children and parents were delighted with the Treasure Chests and contents, and we have submitted a photo (see above) along with a brief comment to the Cornish Guardian.

A very BIG thank you from Val Watts, Lisa George and all the children.

Heather Hunt
Cornwall Bookstart coordinator