 Reading Well for Families Launch!
Reading Well for families recommends reading to support parents and carers to look after their wellbeing in pregnancy and the early years (from conception to aged two). The scheme is aimed at adults and includes a range of recommended books and supporting digital resources. Some of the recommended books provide information and advice; there are also personal stories, illustrated books and poetry. The booklist is targeted at parents, carers and anyone supporting people from pregnancy onwards. Look for the Reading Well for families books in your local library – they’re free to borrow.
 BookTastic Barrow!
We had an amazing week at BookTastic Barrow. A celebration of the transformative power of reading for pleasure. BookTastic Barrow was the culmination of a year long reading for pleasure project aiming to inspire local children. The children spent the past year designing their festival, the books, the authors and ideas. Led by Laura Reid, deputy head at Ormsgill School, in collaboration with local primary schools, FESP and W&F Libraries. It was magical for the children to see everything come together with a week bursting with joy. What amazing authors, Sophy Henn, Patrick Kane, Patrice Lawrence and AF Harrold. Sophy told us about her brilliant books, I Hate Everything and Happy Hills, which is the most marvelous book series (remember mushrooms need a hard stare). Patrick Kane was so interesting, introducing us to the incredible stories of perseverance and success against the odds in his book Human 2.0. Award-winning author Patrice Lawrence was captivating with her stories and brilliantly barmy ideas! A.F. Harrold was so talented and funny, he made us all fall in love with poetry and closed the inaugural BookTastic Barrow festival in style!
'This is exactly the kind of thing our community needs — fun, free, and unforgettable experiences. Brilliantly done, BookTastic crew!'
'I loved listening to children leaving school with their book firmly in their hands relating what they’d learnt from Patrick. Inspirational!'
The children who attended throughout the week were thoughtful, intelligent, creative and all-round marvellous. We loved listening to the authors, hearing all about their lives, their writing and their wonderful books. We soaked up the magical staging, BookTatstic archway and storybook wonderland by local artist Hannah Willetts and listened to the laughter of nearly 2000 children experiencing the joy of reading. This event was only possible with the support of Barrow Rising, W&F Councillors and local businesses. Thank you for supporting this magical event. The giggles, the silliness and the brilliance were fabulous. The children loved EVERY second! We can’t wait to do it all again next year!
'My little girl could not stop talking about this yesterday - she was mega inspired after speaking to Patrick and shaking his bionic hand!'
'It was our honour to help so many children. Reading isn't a privilege, it's a right.' Go-rrito
 Great Big Green Week
We had a jam-packed week for Great Big Green Week, which ran from 7th to 15th June. Libraries across Westmorland and Furness showcased the brand new Go Green Heroes collection, had craft and plant swaps and lots of exciting green ideas. Particular congratulations to Bev Gee – Senior Library and Customer Assistant and Claire Dougherty – Library Outreach Project Officer at Penrith Library who joined together with over 80 children and adults from Clifton and Beaconside Primary Schools, Ullswater Community College, 4Eden and St Andrew’s Church for a giant litter pick around Penrith on Wednesday 11th June. The litter pick was arranged as part of Great Big Green Week, which ran from 7th to 15th June.
After litter picking, the groups gathered the bags of rubbish together in St Andrew’s Churchyard and decorated them with “litterbugs” they had made from recycled objects.
Refreshments were provided by Morrisons and Greggs in the town, and the litter was collected later in the afternoon by a W&F waste management team.
 Big Tasty Read
To mark the launch of The Big Tasty Read, we’re thrilled to share a specially curated booklist blending fiction and memoir, all exploring the powerful connections between food, culture and storytelling. Whether you’re craving kitchen-table confessions, mouth-watering memories, or stories from around the world, this list has something for every taste.
Hungry by Grace Dent
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A Memoir of Wanting More
Warm, funny and joyous, Hungry is also about love and loss, the central role that food plays in all our lives, and how a Cadbury’s Fruit ‘n’ Nut in a hospital vending machine can brighten the toughest situation.
Find BorrowBox eAudio here.
Request from the library here.
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Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
Crossing continents and juggling lives, Black Cake is a powerful story of love and loss, kinship and separation, heartache and hope, spanning sixty years in the life of one family.
Find BorrowBox eAudio here.
Request from the library here.
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Taste by Stanley Tucci
Taste is a reflection on the intersection of food and life, filled with anecdotes about growing up in Westchester, New York, preparing for and filming the foodie films Big Night and Julie & Julia, falling in love over dinner, and teaming up with his wife to create conversation-starting meals for their children. Each morsel of this gastronomic journey through good times and bad, five-star meals and burnt dishes, is as heartfelt and delicious as the last.
Find BorrowBox eAudio here.
Request from the library here.
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 The Summer Reading Challenge - Story Garden
To take part in The Summer Reading Challenge you can read whatever you choose. Looking for some inspiration? No problem, why not check out our suggestions below.
Bloom by Nicola Skinner
Sorrel Fallowfield is growing up – in a REALLY surprising way . . .Sorrel Fallowfield is so good at being good that teachers come to her when they need help remembering the school rules – and there are LOTS.Luckily, Sorrel doesn’t have any trouble following them, until the day she discovers a faded packet of Surprising Seeds buried under a tree in her backyard.Now she’s hearing voices, seeing things, experiencing an almost unstoppable urge to plant the Seeds in some very unusual places… and completely failing to win her school’s competition to find The Most Obedient Child of the School.And all that’s before flowers start growing out of her head…
Find BorrowBox eAudio here.
Request from the library here.
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The Summer Dolphin by Holly Webb
When Lillie spends the summer in Wales with her family, she can’t help but feel like the baby of the group. Her big sister Frankie would rather spend time with their older cousin Lana than play with her, and no one else seems to notice how lonely she is. Then during a boat trip, Lillie spots a young dolphin swimming alongside them and for a short while all her worries melt away. Later, when Frankie and Lana are particularly mean to her, Lillie decides to set off on her own in hopes of seeing the dolphin calf again ...
Find BorrowBox eAudio here.
Request from the library here.
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King Coo by Adam Stower
Meet our hero Ben Pole. He's on the run from his arch-enemy Monty Grabbe when he discovers a forest with rope swings, water slides, Herbert the wombat, and best of all King Coo. But watch out! Cow-pat-a-pults and Slug Pulp to the ready! Monty and his gang have a dastardly plan, and Ben and Coo need to come up with their best invention yet.
Find BorrowBox eAudio here.
Request from the library here.
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A Hero Called Wolf by Lucy Rowland
Wolf loves reading. There's just one problem. The more he reads, the more he starts to realize something. . . Every book has a hero; the heroes are handsome, tough and strong; and most importantly, the heroes are never, ever wolves. But when a giant comes stomping into the library one day, can Wolf find the courage to speak up? Because maybe heroes don't have to be handsome, tough and strong. Maybe true heroes are kind and brave – just like Wolf!
Find BorrowBox eAudio here.
Request from the library here.
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Sign Up Saturday! - Story Garden
Saturday 5th July @ your local library
Pop into your local library to sign up to this years Summer Reading Challenge. Take part in our launch celebration and find out about all our fun, free activities happening this summer.
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Regular Events and Activities
Explore a world of fun and learning! Are you ready for an exciting summer filled with captivating events and activities? Look no further than Westmorland and Furness Libraries! Did you know that alongside our exciting events, we offer a variety of regular groups and activities that cater to different interests and promote lifelong learning. Many of these regular groups are completely free, including Baby Bounce and Rhyme, Lego Club, Craft Club, Storytime, Knit and Natter, Chess Club, and many more.
Explore the wonderful opportunities available to you! Find us on Trybooking
Check out our regular groups and activities. 👇
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Barrow Group Libraries - Walney, Roose, Askam, Ulverston, Dalton & Ormsgill
Penrith Group Libraries - Alston, Appleby, Kirkby Stephen & Shap
Kendal Group Libraries - Ambleside, Grange, Kirkby Longsdale, Milnthorpe, Sedbergh & Windermere
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Follow Us on Social Media
Stay connected with us on social media! Did you know that Westmorland and Furness libraries can be found on across social media. Pop on over to your chosen platform to keep up to date and informed about all the latest happenings at Westmorland and Furness Libraries!
Join our growing online community and be the first to know about the engaging activities and resources we have in store for you.
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