Essex families can borrow a Read and Count with Me book bag from Essex Country Parks and Essex libraries. The initiative is part of the Essex Year of Numbers.
The book bags contain handpicked picture books to share with young learners in the great outdoors. They aim to encourage literary, numeracy and a love of nature from an early age. The bags also contain a ground sheet to sit on and lots of activity ideas to try including seasonal spotters’ guides.
The bags are free of charge from Essex Country Parks and from Essex libraries to use in any local green space.
For the seven Essex Country Parks head to the café or Ranger’s Office and ask to borrow one of the sets. To borrow a bag from the library to use in a local green space, check if your local library has one, or reserve one and collect it from your local library.
The book bags are also available during Wild Wednesdays and Forest School sessions at Danbury Country Park.
Essex Year of Numbers is a countywide campaign that aims to inspire a love of learning, with a focus on numeracy. The £1.5 million campaign aims to challenge people’s perceptions about maths. It is a year of exciting learning opportunities, fun events and initiatives for all.