An Oxfordshire nursery celebrated National Read a Book Day with a visit from a professional storyteller.

The awareness day, which is tomorrow (Thursday, September 6) encourages everyone in the UK to take a break and start reading.

Developer Bewley organised for a professional storyteller, Amanda Kane Smith, to visit The Old Station Nursery in Faringdon, near Oxford this week.

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The nursery is near a Bewley development Bellmount View in the town.

The Old Station Nursery Manager commented: “We can’t thank Bewley enough. The children really enjoyed Amanda’s animated version of ‘We are going on a bear hunt’ which is one of their favourites.

“Encouraging the children to read and enjoy it is such an important area of early education.”

Oxford Mail: Professional storyteller Amanda Kane Smith, nursery assistants and children from The Old Station

Elaine Stratford, sales and marketing director at Bewley Homes, said: “We believe that stories have the power to transport us to magical worlds and stimulate young minds in remarkable ways.

“National Read a Book Day is a great opportunity to get young children interested in reading, and one of the best ways to do that is to read with them. Amanda’s rendition was animated and passionate.

“This immersive storytelling experience aims to inspire a love for books and ignite the spark of curiosity and creativity in the hearts of the young children. Reading is also hugely beneficial to your wellbeing, reducing stress, aiding relaxation, helping you to sleep and even preventing cognitive decline.”