Mayo parents urged to take up offer of free book bag for children starting school

BOOK bags will be available for young children in Mayo to help prepare them to start school.

Deputy Keira Keogh said children leaving pre-school and starting primary school are invited to visit their local library to pick up a book bag and take the opportunity to join the library as part of the My Little Library initiative.

“The books and resources in the book bag support parents and their children in the transition to primary school, and 110,000 free books will be available nationally and books are available in both English and Irish,” she explained.

“This is great news for families with young children in Mayo who want to take the time over the summer to prepare their children to transition to primary school.

“The bags will be available throughout the summer, and I encourage all families to join their local library in Mayo if they aren’t already members.”

Deputy Keogh continued: “The children can join their library along with their families, and choose their own books to borrow, all for free. For many children in Mayo, this could be the start of a lifelong love of reading.

“These books and stories will help each child prepare for this big step. Books are a great way of helping parents support their children with their early language and literacy development.

“I urge every family with a child starting primary school this September to avail of this initiative and pick up their Little Library book bag from their local library in Mayo.”