Features / A ‘true team effort’ – 15 years of stories and songs with Bookbug
“HELLO everyone, hello everyone, glad that you could come…”
Those words will be etched into the memory of most parents who have ever attended Bookbug events in Shetland; they are the first lyrics of the welcoming Hello Song which kicks off every session.
It is 15 years since the Scottish Book Trust project launched under the new name Bookbug, and Shetland has been involved since day one.
The premise is fairly simple; Bookbug sessions allow young children to enjoy and engage in stories, songs and rhymes.
It also gifts free bags of books and other resources to children at different stages from birth to primary one.
Last week also marked a special week dedicated to Bookbug across the country, with packed schedule of events in Shetland including ‘bedtime’ sessions and visits to under five groups across the isles.
The coordinator for Bookbug in Shetland is Chloe Tallack, Shetland Library’s young people’s librarian who reckons she has probably sung the Hello Song over a thousand times so far.
Although Bookbug is reaching its 15th anniversary, a similar programme was first introduced nationally in 2003 under the name Bookstart.
“Bookbug is a book-gifting programme that also incorporates song and story sessions,” Tallack explains.
“We’ve had fantastic attendance at our sessions in the public library, and we’ve extended our reach through occasional outreach visits to community drop-ins.”
Weekly sessions are held in the library in Lerwick every Tuesday at 10.30am and 2pm, and new regular sessions are also getting underway in Scalloway and Brae.
“One exciting development this year was our trial of bedtime Bookbug, which made it easier for working family to attend,” Tallack adds.
“We’ll be reintroducing these sessions over the winter months.
“The health visitors do an amazing job of gifting the baby and toddler packs to every bairn in Shetland – each child receives four Bookbug packs by the time they reach primary one.”
Bookbug sessions have been popular from the beginning, Tallack says, with the only real dip coming during the Covid pandemic when the team had to limit numbers and pause in-person sessions due to social distancing.
“Even then, we adapted and ran virtual sessions, which actually helped us reach families in more remote parts of Shetland,” Tallack explains.
But it no doubt felt different – both for the Bookbug practitioner, trying to engage with bairns while speaking into camera, and the children and families watching at home on a screen.
“While we did get some interaction through chat functions, virtual sessions just couldn’t replace the special quality of in-person interactions,” Tallack says.
“Still, it was really important to continue offering something – especially during such an isolating time.
“Families appreciated the continuity and connection, even if it was through a screen. But we were all very glad to get back to sharing songs and stories face-to-face. There’s something really special about that.”
When Bookbug did return to face-to-face events, the team had to scale up to meet demand – and when the ‘new’ library building opened in late 2021 sessions increased fourfold.
So what are some of the biggest benefits of Bookbug? “For me, one of the loveliest things is watching bairns build up a repertoire of familiar songs and rhymes,” Tallack responds.
“You’ll often hear about them leading their own little Bookbug sessions at home for grandparents or siblings.
“They also will have their own library of books from all their bookbug bags that are gifted.
“We also see families who start attending Bookbug develop a real reading culture with their peerie ones, visiting the library regularly and exploring books together.
“It makes a huge difference to early communication and development. Bookbug is an evidence-based programme, and the benefits are well documented. But above all, it’s joyful, and that is what makes it work.”
Diana McIntyre, from Cunningsburgh, has regularly taken her two grandsons to Bookbug sessions over the last four years.
She says it has been a “real joy experiencing their enthusiasm and wonder at the different songs, stories and dancing”.
“The highlights are definitely the boys going to get the toys out of the bag and the famous ‘bubbles song’,” she adds.
“Seeing our grandsons gaining in confidence is wonderful and the leaders of Bookbug are extremely friendly and welcoming. A lovely, safe space for peerie ones to have fun.”
Tallack meanwhile began her role as young people’s librarian and Bookbug coordinator in 2020, taking over from Morag Nicolson, who had led the programme since the early Bookstart days.
The last year the “small but dedicated” library Bookbug team delivered 182 sessions, welcoming nearly 4,700 adults and children.
The team of five library staff lead many of the sessions, but Tallack says other staff and volunteers too are involved too due to the level of demand.
“Bookbug is a true team effort. Our library, and school library, staff are supported by brilliant partners, including the NHS, who gift Bookbug packs to all babies and toddlers in Shetland, as well as early years staff and primary one teachers.
“We’ve also worked with Shetland College to ensure that early learning and childcare students receive Bookbug training as part of their education.”
With Bookbug showing no signs of slowing down in Shetland, Tallack says it is encouraging to see its reach and impact growing – reinforcing a reading culture in bairns.
“We’re often asked to take part in community events, which we love,” she adds.
“The challenge is bridging the gap between traditional children’s entertainment and what Bookbug is really about – sharing books, rhymes, and songs in an engaging, meaningful way.”
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