CHILDREN can take their love of literature into the great outdoors as Essex Libraries celebrates the arrival of spring with a host of special events.

Essex County Council’s Talk Listen Cuddle Campaign has teamed up with Essex Libraries and Country Parks to launch Read With Me Under a Tree, a celebration of rhymes, books and outdoor play.

Not only will library staff be giving their usual baby and toddler rhyme time sessions a special outdoor theme throughout March, but Country Parks in Essex will be hosting special alfresco events.

Children can borrow a free activity pack at all seven of the county’s major parks - including Danbury’s park - which include a book, activity sheet and even a den building kit.

The list of books and themed activity sheets – including Stick Man, Mad About Minibeasts, Superworm and Welly Walks - are also available online, so families can take their story times into the garden or a local green space.

Anne Brown, the Cabinet Member responsible for libraries, said: “Reading with your little ones is a great way of helping them develop their communications skills and expand their vocabulary, and the best bit is you can read together almost anywhere.

“The great outdoors offers lots of possibilities for learning new things and being creative, and books can often be the starting point for coming up with your own games and activities.”

For details, visit http://libraries.essex.gov.uk/news/read-with-me-under-a-tree/.