Child-friendly Medway has launched 'For the Love of Reading' to encourage children and young people to develop a passion for books.
There will be events, activities, book trails and more.
Free books
To help make sure that children and young people have books in their homes, the Child-Friendly Medway team will
The books might be found in playgrounds, at shopping centres, on benches or in places young people visit, creating a fun and exciting trail to inspire a love of reading.
There are so many benefits to reading books and having books at home
Books can:
- help us to develop our own ideas and personalities
- introduce us to new words and subjects
- improve our mental health by allowing us to unwind
- grow relationships between those who read together.
Events and activities
We'll also be organising events and activities linked to some of the books, including film screenings and author talks.
Soft play and story corner at the Pentagon Shopping Centre
Free soft play and storytelling sessions for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers at the Pentagon
Children and young people can enjoy the one-hour soft play session and enjoy storytelling.
Session details
Session times run from 10am to 11am and 11am to 12pm on:
- Wednesday 8 May
- Wednesday 22 May
- Wednesday 5 June
- Wednesday 19 June
Location: The Pentagon Shopping Centre, Chatham (unit next to Sainsbury's).
To reserve your space, email childfriendly@medway.gov.uk
Pop-up community story time
Free story time and craft events running across Medway for a range of ages, featuring books read by the Child-friendly Medway team and others.
Free drinks and snacks are included.
Upcoming pop-up community story time events
Sun Pier House
- Tuesday 14 May
- Tuesday 11 June
- Tuesday 9 July
Location: Sun Pier House, Medway Street, Chatham, ME4 4HF.
For more details and to reserve your space, email childfriendly@medway.gov.uk.
Get involved
If you find one of our books, take a photo of where you discovered it or of you reading it. You can then tag Child-Friendly Medway on social media.
You can also follow us on social media for the latest updates on our events and activities, as well as how to get tickets.