Slough youngsters receive reading packs and teddy bears through Build-A-Bear Foundation donation

A nationwide reading charity has delivered teddy bears and reading packs to children in Slough thanks to a donation from the Build-A-Bear Foundation.

Youngsters and their parents at the Penn Road Best Start Family Hub were each given a bear and family ready pack by BookTrust.

The packs came from BookTrust’s Bookstart Toddler and Pre-schooler scheme and featured books, resources and activities which encourage and support family reading for young children at different stages.

Staff from Build-A-Bear and BookTrust attended a stay and play session, featuring a magical storytime, before the packs and bears were given out.

Penn Road is one of 20 places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to receive a share of more than 1,000 donated bears in the same week.

The bears can be used as reading bears during shared reading sessions to encourage children to develop a love of books.

The Build-A-Bear Foundation provides support to BookTrust as their UK literacy partner.

Nick Bragger, partnerships manager at BookTrust, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Build-A-Bear Foundation for their ongoing support of BookTrust and our work to ensure all children can access books and the benefits of shared reading.

“Our research shows shared reading in the early years can have a huge impact on children’s development and help them get the best possible start in life. We hope the children at Penn Road get to spend many joyful hours of reading with their bears.”

Roz Johnson, president of Build-A-Bear Foundation board of directors, said: "Since 2022, we have been proud supporters of the work of BookTrust.

“By giving children both a bear and a reading pack, we’re helping families create moments of comfort, connection, and curiosity which are all the building blocks of a lifelong love of reading.”

Alison Beer, principal libraries outreach officer (children and young people) at Slough Borough Council, said: “Slough Libraries are delighted that children at the Penn Road Best Start Family Hub will be benefiting from the partnership with BookTrust and Build-A-Bear Foundation to receive a bear and book pack.

“As well as bringing fun and joy, these resources will enhance the home learning environment for families and the bears will provide opportunities for play that will develop children’s imagination, language and literacy skills, and cognitive development.

“The Bookstart packs will inspire and encourage families to enjoy books together, and reinforce the library messaging that sharing books with your child gives them the best

start in life.”