Sandwell libraries have been gifted one of the iconic CBeebies Bedtime Stories chairs thanks to a collaboration with BookTrust.

The chair will be located in Central Library, West Bromwich, for the next few months before being a tour around other libraries in Sandwell later this year.

CBeebies Bedtime Stories legacy reading corners are being introduced at libraries in Sandwell, Leeds, Blackpool, Hartlepool, Leicester, Brent and Somerset.

The partnership between BookTrust and CBeebies Bedtime Stories will see the iconic CBeebies Bedtime Stories yellow chair being permanently donated to Sandwell Libraries, along with CBeebies books, stickers, and merchandise.

Central Library will be holding regular story sessions where families will be able to see and have photos sitting in the legendary chair. Families are also encouraged to look out for special filmed storytelling sessions with some local children’s authors which will soon be available on Sandwell Council’s social media channels. 

The CBeebies yellow chair will be available along with BookTrust Storytime, an interactive programme designed to encourage families to make library visits a regular part of family life.

Diana Gerald, CEO of BookTrust, said: “We’re thrilled to team up with CBeebies and our partners at Sandwell Council to create this one-of-a-kind library story time experience for families. Experiencing the fun first-hand at a library story time can be a crucial first step in encouraging more people to feel the library is a place they belong.

“Exploring new ways to engage families with the free reading support on offer at their local library is a key pillar of our work at BookTrust to help children from different backgrounds get the wide-ranging benefits that come from a love of reading. We hope young readers in Sandwell will come along to Sandwell's Central Library to check out the new reading corner and stay for a story."

The programme is part of BookTrust’s broader mission to support more experiences for families to enjoy reading, and to share the long-term impact reading can have on children’s development, wellbeing, progress at school, and life chances.

Later in the year the chair will be appearing in other libraries across Sandwell. For more information visit Sandwell Library’s website.