Read and Count With Me

It’s as easy as one, two, three!

Essex Library Service in partnership with, Talk Listen and Cuddle and the Essex Year of Numbers are launching ‘Read and Count With Me By the Sea’ book bags.  These will be available to borrow, free of charge, from a number of libraries. 

 

What are the Read and Count With Me By the Sea book bags?

Similar to our Read and Count with Me Under a Tree, our Read and Count With Me By the Sea are special bags containing three lovely picture books to share with your little ones to encourage literary, numeracy and fun in the great outdoors from an early age. There are a range of titles including ‘One Is a Snail Ten is a Crab’ by April Pulley Sayre & Jeffery Sayre, Commotion in the Ocean by Giles Andrea, Peep inside the Sea by Anna Milbourne and many other seaside and counting themed stories – which ones will be in the bag that you borrow?
 
The bags also contain an activity sheet with some great ideas for fun activities for families to do and things to look for at the seaside – see what you can spot and count how many of each!
 

How do I borrow a ‘Read and Count With Me By the Sea’ book bag?

To borrow a bag from the library to use at the beach (or in other outdoor spaces), you can check if your local library has one in stock, or reserve one to be sent to a library of your choice.
 
There will also be a number of events over the summer where you can see the bags.  Find out more on the TLC website.

What do I do to return the bag?

When you’ve finished enjoying the books and activities, please check all the contents are there, scan the QR card on the label to give us your feedback and then return it to your local library. 

 

 

Read and Count With Me Under a Tree

 

Essex Library Service in partnership with Essex Country Parks, Talk Listen and Cuddle and the Essex Year of Numbers are launching Read and Count with Me Under a Tree book bags.  These will be available to borrow, free of charge, from a number of libraries, Essex Country Parks, Cressing Temple Barns and the Forest School at Danbury.

 

 

What are the Read and Count with Me Under a Tree Book Bags?

Read and Count with Me Under a Tree are special bags containing some lovely picture books to share with your little ones in the great outdoors to encourage literary, numeracy and a love of nature from an early age. Titles include ‘Mad About Minibeasts’ by Giles Andreae and a selection of other outdoor themed stories.

 

The bags contain a ground sheet for you and your children to sit on and lots of activity ideas to try including seasonal spotter’s guides – see what you can spot and count how many of each!

 

The bags can be borrowed to use in the Essex Country Parks and from libraries to use in your local green space.

 

 

How do I borrow a ‘Read and Count with Me Under a Tree’ book bag?

To borrow a bag from the library to use in your local green space, you can check if your local library has one in stock, or reserve one to be sent to a library of your choice.

 

For the seven Essex Country Parks and Cressing Temple head to the café or Ranger’s Office and ask to borrow one of the sets. Bags can be borrowed at Belhus Woods, Cudmore Grove, Danbury, Great Notley, Hadleigh, Thorndon and Weald (subject to staff and availability).

 

Look out for the honesty 'borrow bins' outside the Kiosk at Cudmore and the refreshment van at Great Notley.

 

You can also enjoy the book bags during Wild Wednesdays and Forest School sessions at Danbury Country Park.

 

 

What do I do to return the bag?

When you’ve finished enjoying the books and activities, please check all the contents are there, scan the QR card to give us your feedback and then return it. At staffed return points you will receive a free sticker, whilst stocks last.

 

Everyone who completes the survey and leaves their contact details will be entered into a prize draw that will take place every six months to win a free Explorer pass (terms and conditions apply, read the terms and conditions here)

 

These activities and borrow bags are provided to you by Essex Library Service, Essex Country Parks and Talk Listen and Cuddle and are part of the Essex Year of Reading and funded by Essex Year of Numbers.