Princesses, knights and fairies will be starring in stories and rhymes at East Sussex libraries and children’s centres to celebrate National Bookstart Week.

Fairy tales are the theme for this year’s events, with special rhyme times and story times being held throughout the county during the weeks beginning Monday 17 and 24 June 2013.

Ugly Duckling booklets and a ‘create your own fairy tale’ activity sheet, along with other goodies, will be handed out to children attending an event.

Children and their families across East Sussex will also be invited to vote for their favourite fairy tale in libraries and children’s centres.

Cllr Chris Dowling, East Sussex County Council lead member for community services, said: “It is important to encourage young children to enjoy books and fairy tales provide excitement and magic.

“I hope as many families as possible come along to one of our free special events.”

Further information

Special events will take place at libraries during the following times:

• Battle Library – Tuesday 25 June 2013 – 10.30-11am (Rhyme Time)

• Bexhill Library – Wednesday 19 June 2013 – 11-11.30am (Rhyme Time) and Monday 24 June 2013 – 10.45-11.30am (Three Billy Goats Gruff event) **

• Crowborough Library – Tuesday 25 June 2013 – 2.30-3pm (Fairy Tale event)

• Eastbourne Library – Wednesday 26 June 2013 – 10.30-11am and Friday 28 June 2013 – 10.45-11.15am (Rhyme Time)

• Hailsham Library – Wednesday 26 June 2013 – 9.45-10.15am (Rhyme Time)

• Hastings Children’s Library – Tuesday 25 June 2013 – 1.45-2.15pm (Rhyme Time) and Friday 28 June 2013 – 10.45-11.30am (Three Billy Goats Gruff event) **

• Heathfield Library – Monday 24 June 2013 – 10.30-11am (Rhyme Time)

• Lewes Library – Tuesday 2 July 2013 – 10.30-11am (Rhyme Time)

• Newhaven Library – Monday 17 June 2013 – 2- 2.30pm (Rhyme Time)

• Peacehaven Library – Wednesday 3 July 2013 – 10.30-11am (Rhyme Time)

• Polegate Library – Friday 28 June 2013 – 2.30-3pm (Rhyme Time)

• Rye Library – Monday 24 June 2013 – 11-11.30am (Rhyme Time)

• Uckfield Library – Tuesday 25 June 2013 – 2.15-2.45pm (Fairy Tale event)

• Wadhurst Library – Monday 1 July 2013 – 2.15-2.45pm (Rhyme Time)

• Willingdon Library – Thursday 27 June 2013 – 10.30-11am (Rhyme Time)

** Booking is essential for the Three Billy Goats Gruff events at Bexhill Library and Hastings Children’s Library

Bookstart is run by Booktrust, an independent national charity that encourages people of all ages and cultures to engage with books – for further information about Bookstart please contact bookstart@eastsussex.gov.uk

More information about Bookstart is available online at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/bookstart