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Bookbug

Bookbug in Aberdeen

Bookbug is Scotland’s early years book sharing programme, delivered in partnership by national reading charity Scottish Book Trust, local authorities, libraries and health trusts. Bookbug encourages parents and carers to share books with their children from as early an age as possible to inspire a love of reading in every child. Aberdeen City Libraries works together with health and early years partners to deliver the Bookbug programme, which gifts four fantastic free bags of books to young children in Aberdeen:

  • Baby Bag - gifted by your health visitor before your baby is six months old.
  • Toddler Bag - gifted by your health visitor when your toddler is 13 - 15 months old.
  • Explorer Bag - gifted at nursery/playgroup when your child is three years old. If your child does not attend nursery or playgroup he or she can still receive an explorer bag.
  • Primary 1 Family Bag - gifted to all children in Primary 1.The bags are gifted in school after the October holidays (usually during Book Week Scotland which is in November) and provide a terrific opportunity to support your child's reading and have fun as a family. In addition to the Bookbug bags, tactile books are available for children with additional support needs.

Gaelic Bookbug bags are also available for families interested in speaking or learning Gaelic. Libraries, health staff and nurseries in Aberdeen work together to try to make sure that all families receive their bag.

If you have any queries about Bookbug bags please email bookbug@aberdeencity.gov.uk or phone 01224 652558

Bookbug Explorer Bags

We are preparing for the delivery of Explorer bags to settings across the City . The bags are gifted to all  children aged between 3 years and 3 years 11 months via nursery or playgroup. If your setting has not responded to our email request for the number of bags required please get in touch bookbug@aberdeencity.gov.uk

Bookbug Sessions

Bookbug sessions are free and fun sessions of stories, songs and rhymes for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their families and carers to enjoy together. Each session lasts around 30 minutes and they have been designed to support children’s development while having fun. They take place in a very relaxed environment and are a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your little one, meet other families and have fun together. 

  • 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 Aberdeen City Libraries.

Bookbug sessions are fully inclusive and open to all families, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We want to make sure that Bookbug sessions in our libraries reflect our diverse community and hope parents/carers will get involved. We’d be delighted if parents/carers would like to share songs and rhymes from other countries, cultures or languages at Bookbug sessions – please speak to the person leading the session or contact bookbug@aberdeencity.gov.uk.

We continue to use online booking in advance for most of our Bookbug sessions  and ask that bookings are limited to one adult and for one individual session.

We operate a waiting list for each session.  and would ask that if you have booked a place at a Bookbug session and can no longer attend please let us know by phone, email or by cancelling online so we can offer the place to someone on the waiting list.

There are now a number of "drop-in" Bookbug sessions where advance booking is not required - these are at  Culter, Kincorth, Tillydrone and Torry libraries.

Bookbug Sessions at Childrens Library

There may be a queue to use the lift to access Childrens Library so please allow time for this when visiting for a bookbug session as the session will begin promptly.

Bookbug Sessions online

If you can't come along to a session in a library then why not join in at a time which suits you with one of our online sessions created by the Bookbug team at Aberdeen City Libraries. 

Aberdeen Sings with Bookbug

Research shows that sharing nursery rhymes with your little one is a great way for them to learn their words, and now you can practice all your favourites together with the staff at Aberdeen City Libraries. Check out Aberdeen sings with Bookbug to play, pause and repeat our top 100 songs and rhymes for wee ones, and don’t forget to sing along and do the actions! Browse the Song and rhyme library or access directly via the themed YouTube playlists.

What parents enjoy about Bookbug sessions

Quotes from parents in Aberdeen:


'We enjoy Bookbug sessions because they are short and relaxed and I've learnt some new rhymes’ 'Staff are always friendly and accommodating.’

‘We really enjoy bookbug sessions. The atmosphere is welcoming and my granddaughter looks forward to her monthly visits.’

‘Events like this are very important for the community.’

Bookbug aims to help every child in Scotland develop a love of books and reading, Sharing books, songs and rhymes together 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 library challenge

The challenge aims to encourage children aged 0 to 5 to discover and enjoy their local library and all libraries in Aberdeen City are looking forward to signing up new members. Taking part is easy and fun.

  • Join your local library - your child can join from birth.
  • Choose some stories to share.
  • Ask for a Bookbug Library Challenge card and collect 2 stickers each time you visit.
  • Make 3 visits to swap your fully stamped card for a beautifully illustrated certificate for your child to keep.
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