Parents and Carers : Cumbria County Council

Bookstart, working with Cumbria Library Service, health visitors, and Early Years is giving away free packs of books for children under four. This national programme encourages all parents and carers to enjoy sharing books with children from a very early age. We do this by giving children Bookstart bags containing good quality picture books and other goodies, along with guidance notes for grown-ups.

Babies from 8 to 12 months will receive their Bookstart pack from their Health Visitor. Three year olds will receive their Bookstart Treasure pack from the Nursery they attend.

Bookshine

is also available for deaf children up to the age of 4. This contains helpful advice about using books with your deaf child as well as two specially chosen picture books and a nursery rhyme placemat featuring British Sign Language. Please ask your local library for more details.

Booktouch

is for blind and partially sighted children aged up to 4. As well as useful information for parents, you’ll find touch-and-feel books and a rhymetime CD. The packs are available in baby or toddler versions. Please ask your local library for more details.

Books and guidance materials are also available in various community languages.

For more information about Bookstart in Cumbria, contact Deb Holden on 01768 812104 or email deb.holden@cumbria.gov.uk

Parent/Carer Collections:
Many larger libraries have special collections of books and media chosen to help with a range of parenting issues such as :

These can be found in the children's area. They have a special parent/child sticker on the spine of each book.