Devon Libraries & Bookstart delivers successful new Bounce & Rhyme on the Beach Events

Under 5’s and their families celebrated National Bookstart Week with FREE Bounce & Rhyme events on the beaches of Devon.

These events, designed to encourage reading as a fun activity, were held by Devon Libraries in conjunction with Bookstart and Children’s Centre staff across the county. Themed ‘Under the Sea’ the events, which were held at Ilfracombe, Teignmouth, Dawlish, Dartmouth & Exmouth were aimed at under 5’s and their parents and carers.

Reading resources were gifted to parents and children from Devon Libraries’ partner, BookTrust, who run the Bookstart scheme, on each day to full of fun activities to encourage and inspire families to read together. Throughout the week BookTrust gave away 450,000 underwater adventure books, one for every child who attended an event across the UK.

Kath Walters, Bookstart Outreach Officer says, “Thanks to funding support from Local Councillors in each area we are so pleased to have been able to organise, deliver and promote these events. Each have contributed £100 to help us organise, promote and evaluate these events, and to be able to work effectively with our partners to ensure that we are reaching those that will benefit within each community. Everyone who attended had a great time and what a different and exciting way to encourage youngsters to read!”

BookStart gifts free books to all children at two key ages before school to help families read together every day and inspire children with a rewarding love of books. National BookStart Week 6 -12 June saw thousands of free events around the country for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their families, at libraries, children’s centres, nurseries and bookshops..

Libraries Unlimited, the independent mutual, who is now running Devon Libraries Services hope to duplicate the success of these events in October when they will be delivering a further program of activities also funded in part by Local Councillors.

Ciara Eastell, CEO, says “This type of event shows how by working effectively with our partners both locally and nationally we are continuing to deliver new and exciting services to families in Devon and increasing our reach to those not currently engaging with libraries.”

For more details about events and Devon Library services please visit

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