Epworth event marks fantastic first year for the Imagination Library

The main event is being held on Friday June 13 at South Axholme Academy, Epworth, from 9.15am to 11.15am. CouncillorLiz Redfern, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council and Andrew Percy MP will be opening the event.

It is over a year since the Imagination Library first launched in the Isle of Axholme and the One Year On events will celebrate all that has been achieved.

Join in all the fun at the first celebration event. Blunderbus Theatre Company will be doing a wonderful performance of Dotty the Dragon – a brave little dragon in a big scary world.

Children will be able to take part in a range of fun-filled activities during and after the show. Refreshments will be available.

As well as the main event there will also be some mini events taking place at other locations on:

Monday 16 June from 9am to 11am at Crowle Children’s Centre and Crowle Primary Academy, Manor Road.

Monday 23 June from 9am to 11am at St Martin’s Church of England Primary School, Burnham Road, Owston Ferry.

Kirsty Mead from the Rhubarb Theatre Company will take families on a journey of discovery into each story. She will use a using a combination of music, singing, movement, acting out and making. Families will also be able to take part in some great activities.

Everyone is welcome to these events. Activities will be suitable for babies, toddlers and children.

More celebration events will be planned across other locations as they reach their first anniversary.

Since the first launch an amazing 7,000 children have been registered to the Imagination Library in North Lincolnshire, which includes 620 children who have now finished the scheme as they are aged five.

Dolly Parton created her Imagination Library to guarantee access to books and to encourage parents and carers to read to their children as much as possible.

All pre-school children (from birth up to 4 years and 10 months old) in North Lincolnshire can register for free with their local children’s centre to receive a book each month by post. They will receive a free book every month until their fifth birthday.

The children’s classic The Tale of Peter Rabbit is the first book that they will receive with a personal message from Dolly Parton. Each book arrives in its own package and is addressed to the child.

Children can still be registered for the Imagination Library. Pop into your local children’s centre, library or early year’s provider and pick up a registration form. You can also apply online on the council’s website: www.northlincs.gov.uk/schools-libraries-learning/forms/dolly-partons-imagination-library-registration-form/.

Coun Rob Waltham, cabinet member for People, said: “North Lincolnshire Council has invested in the Imagination Library as we want every child to have the best start possible in their learning and development. It’s a fantastic scheme that brings many benefits to children. The free books aim to inspire and promote how enjoyable reading is with their families at home. The important work starts when the books arrive. Parents and carers are encouraged to spend the time with their children to share the books again and again.

“Sharing books in the home supports so much more than just a love of reading. It gives them a great start in life and will help them achieve to the best of their ability. As well as help support the development of confidence, self-esteem, health and well-being. It is extremely important that preschool children are provided with the best facilities to give them a head start when they start school.

“Spending this special time together as a family also builds listening, understanding and talking skills. Early development of language and communication skills in children is essential and the Imagination Library is a great inspiration to get more children involved in reading from an early age.”

For more information about the Imagination Library call 01724 297953 or email [email protected].