I visited Jarrow library, in Cambrian Street, on Friday 9^th October as part of National Bookstart Day. Bookstart is a national programme encouraging parents and carers to spend more time reading and enjoying books with their children and to encourage the sharing of books, stories, songs and rhymes with youngsters from a very young age.

At the event, I presented books and prizes to children at the Youngest Baby Awards. Babies Connor Hardie and Emily Shewan, who registered with the library service at 4 hours and 10 hours respectively, were presented with a certificate, chest of books and a large Bookstart Bear. In addition, babies who registered with the library service between 14 days and 1 day were also presented with a certificate and book pack and small Bookstart Bear.  

I was delighted to present the children with their prizes as part of National Bookstart Day celebrations. It is particularly important we make sure that children have good habits from an early age so they grow up into responsible, intelligent adults.

Learning to read is a vital part of this and I was pleased to take part in National Bookstart Day.