Parents of young children know that at the end of the day, when the little ones are finally tucked up in bed, it’s hard to muster up the energy to do anything more than plonk yourself in front of the TV and zone out. But what about reading a good book?
For the women who come to The Babes in Arms Reading Group at Sandersted Library in Croydon, finishing the book isn’t the be all and end all. It’s a relaxed and informal group where mothers and children come to socialise, read, talk about books and have fun.
The group was started in 2008 by Lucy Tosh who works at the library. Lucy’s daughter was two years old when she decided to start the group, so she understood the challenge of finding time to read with a young child. “I would often be reading the book the night before, and the others would always tease me about it, and ask, have you read it this time Lucy?"
The women really value the group and the fact that it encourages them to read and take some time for themselves. They also like the fact that the group gets them reading books they wouldn’t normally choose.
Kath, who has been coming to the group for two years with her two daughters, Amy (5) and Elizabeth (2) says that “It means a lot. It gives me a chance to read books I wouldn’t normally read and it’s a great chance to meet people as well.”
Lucy, who has been coming to the group since it started, says “I have become very attached to the group. Theo really looks forward to it, too. It also makes me read!”
Here are some of the group’s favourite reads:
* The Legacy, Katherine Webb
* Brixton Beach, Roma Tearne
* The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Mary Ann Shaffer
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