IS that a bird, is that a plane, no, it’s a giant blue bear helping children to read.

Lewisham Council will be celebrating National Bookstart Week with storytelling, songs and rhymes for young children.

This year, parents and children will be encouraged to share stories, songs and rhymes on the topic of travel and transport with a common theme of 'All Aboard' from June 6 to June 12.

Lewisham’s libraries will be celebrating the week as part of their regular Under 5s sessions.

The Bookstart Bear will be making a number of special appearances:

• June 6, Wavelengths Library in Giffin Street, Deptford at 2pm

• June 7, Lewisham Library in Lewisham High Street at 11.45am

• June 8, Downham Library in Moorside Road at 10am

• June 9, Forest Hill Library in Dartmouth Road at 2pm

• June 10, Manor House Library in Old Road London at 10.30am

Manor House Library will also be hosting a special 'All Aboard' event on June 10 with lots of great stories, songs and fun craft activities from 10.30-11.30am.

Contact the libraries for more information. Details of can be found on lewisham.gov.uk