Bookbug

Bookbug is a Government funded book sharing programme delivered by Scottish Book Trust and local authorities. Bookbug encourages parents and carers to share books with their children from birth to inspire a love of reading in every child.

About Bookbug

Bookbug is Scottish Book Trust’s national Early Years programme. A national charity, Scottish Book Trust delivers the Bookbug programme locally by working in partnership with local library and education services and third sector organisations. To support local delivery of the Bookbug programme, Scottish Book Trust provides its partners with training, advice and Bookbug bags of books. More information about Bookbug can be found on the Scottish Book Trust.

There are four fantastic free bags of books for young children in East Lothian:

Image shows cartoon Bookbug and it's parent playing together.
  • Baby Bag: from your health visitor when your baby is 3 to 5 weeks old
  • Toddler Bag: from your health visitor when your child is 13 to 15 months old
  • Explorer Bag: from nursery when your child is 3 years old
  • Primary 1 Family Bag: from school when your child is in P1

Gaelic Bookbug Bags are available for families interested in Gaelic.

Tactile books are available for children with additional support needs alongside their Bookbug Bags.

How do I get a Bookbug bag?

Libraries, health staff and nurseries in East Lothian work together to try to make sure that all families receive their bag. If you didn’t get one of the Bookbug bags, please contact libraries@eastlothian.gov.uk and we will arrange to have one delivered to your local library for collection.

Why read and sing with my baby or child?

Bookbug aims to help every child in Scotland develop a love of books and reading. Sharing books, songs and rhymes for a few minutes a day will:

  • develop language skills
  • allow time for cuddling and bonding
  • help families to relax
  • boost children’s confidence
  • encourage drawing and writing
  • provide a strong start in life

Bookbug sessions

Our libraries host free, friendly, fun sessions filled with songs, stories and rhymes for under 5’s to enjoy with their adult. Each session lasts around 30 minutes and has been designed to support children's development in a very relaxed environment. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy some quality time with your little one and meet other families in the area!

Rhymes and songs help your baby's language skills and are great building blocks for their future learning. Spending time singing with your little one is a fantastic way to bond and have fun together. 

Check out the Bookbug Song and Rhyme Library for some tips on how to use songs and rhymes with your little one from birth to 5.

Some sessions need to be booked in advance by contacting the library either by telephone, in person or email.

Please note that to protect the privacy of families attending Bookbug sessions and to ensure the privacy and security of staff we do not allow photography, filming, audio or video recording at Bookbug sessions in our libraries unless appropriate permissions have been given. Parents or carers wishing to film their own child must take care to ensure other children don't feature accidentally in their photographs or recordings.

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