Bookbug Week takes place this week (15–21 May), encouraging little ones and their families to dance to their favourite songs and rhymes and then cosy up with a story. To mark the week, Natalie Don MSP, Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise, joined youngsters and their families at Erskine Library to take part in a Bookbug session.

Ran by the Scottish Book Trust, Bookbug is Scotland’s universal early years book gifting programme helping families to read, sing and play with their little ones to give them the best start in life. It also includes gifts of free books and resources to all children at different stages from birth to primary school. Bookbug sessions take place in local libraries and community groups across the constituency and the whole of Scotland as well as through the Bookbug app.

Natalie Don MSP

I am very excited for this year’s Bookbug Week and I had a brilliant time at Erskine library joining the little ones for a sing-song.

This year’s theme is Bookbug’s Big Shoogle, focusing on the benefits of movement and dance for early years development. Dance and movement is not only fun for little ones but plays a very important role in their development. Movement helps young children to build strength and mobility and the tactile element of many songs and rhymes helps them to understand and learn about different parts of their body.

Natalie Don MSP stated:

“I am very excited for this year’s Bookbug Week and I had a brilliant time at Erskine library joining the little ones for a sing-song. Bookbug is a fantastic initiative run by the Scottish Book Trust and funded by the Scottish Government, who have increased the funding for this year to £1.8million for the continuation of the programme.

“Widening access to reading, encouraging an early love of books among children and providing great opportunities for parents and their wee ones to spend time together whilst having fun and learning are just some of the benefits that Bookbug brings to families.

“It was really great to join in with the children and see how much they were enjoying their session. I would encourage any local parents or carers to find out about their local Bookbug sessions and join in with this years Big Shoogle.

Find out about Bookbug sessions in your area at:

https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/reading-and-stories/bookbug/find-your-local-bookbug-session