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Visit any of the council’s libraries and discover the brand new collection of books to choose from. The collection is displayed together in one clearly marked section in all libraries, and books can be borrowed individually, you don’t need to borrow the whole set.

As well as on the library shelves, the collection is also available from the online library on Borrowbox.

Reading Well For Families is a collection of books offering trusted guidance which supports the mental and physical wellbeing of families during pregnancy and the early years.

From conception to age two, it offers essential guidance for parents, carers, and their wider support networks throughout the crucial first 1,001 days of a child’s life, where their physical, emotional and cognitive health is being formed.

Councillor Ian Cresswell, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Environment and Communities ������Ƶ at ������Ƶ County Council, said: "We’re glad to offer the new Reading Well For Families collection. Supporting parents and carers during the earliest stages of their child’s life is so important for the whole family. We hope these books will provide a source of reassurance, comfort and guidance when it’s needed most.”

In today’s world, managing mental health has never been more important. The County’s local libraries provide access to these free self-help books that can be a useful first step in coping with challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, and loss.

The collection includes powerful and practical reads such as You the Daddy by Giles Alexander, Hello Baby, Goodbye Intrusive Thoughts by Jenny Yip, My Black Motherhood by Sandra Igwe, and How to Help Someone After a Miscarriage by Clare Foster

Reading Well For Families joins the broader Reading Well collection, which includes titles on mental health for adults, children and teens, and on dementia. Since the programme's inception, more than 3.9 million Reading Well books have been borrowed across England and Wales, supporting individuals in managing their health and wellbeing through the power of reading.

All titles are recommended by health experts and people with lived experience.

For more information visit our Reading Well webpage.