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Libraries' reading challenge builds literacy in young families

The City of Bayswater libraries challenge young families to read 1001 books before year one.

Libraries' reading challenge builds literacy in young families
Mar 02 2023

The City of Bayswater libraries have launched 1001 Books before Year One, a fun new reading challenge designed to develop literacy and nurture a love of reading in children up to five years old by rewarding them for the amount of books read.

Each child participating in the program will receive a library bag upon reading their first 100 books. Children will collect a colourful iron-on patch with every hundred books read, which they can use to decorate their library bag until reaching the 1001 milestone. Young readers who complete the challenge will be rewarded with a picture book to keep.

City of Bayswater Mayor Filomena Piffaretti said the program encourages parents to build routines that support the development of their child’s literacy skills.

“1001 Books before Year One is an exciting initiative that welcomes young families into the City’s libraries and motivates them to adopt the habit of regularly reading to their child,” she said.

“Visiting your local library and regularly reading to your child play a crucial role in developing their literacy skills before they begin primary school.

“This fantastic new challenge compliments a range of other programs on offer in our libraries that facilitate learning and provide our community with a sense of belonging.”

Books read during the libraries’ popular Rhymetime and Storytime programs count towards reaching the milestone, and once children start primary school they can continue to be rewarded for their reading by joining the libraries’ Bayswater Bilbies reading rewards club or by participating in the Summer Reading Quest.

This project has received financial assistance from the Western Australian Government through the State Library of Western Australia.

For more information and to take part in 1001 Books before Year One, visit cityofbayswater.beanstack.org

Pictured: Mayor Filomena Piffaretti with library members Emily and Otis ten Raa.

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