The Best Bedtime Storyteller Competition, launched by leading childcare provider Busy Bees, aimed to celebrate the art of storytelling. Jonathan beat off tough competition from across the UK to win the award.
As part of the prize package, Busy Bees has donated brand-new copies of the top 40 preschool books to Egham Library, to help ensure as many local families as possible can enjoy these stories. The top books for under fours were revealed by its own research, with titles such as ‘The Gruffalo’ and ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ included in the donation.
Jonathan, who grew up in Aberdeen but now lives in Egham, impressed the judges after submitting a heartwarming video of him reading a bedtime story to his two-year-old son. His touching submission resonated with judges, and showed the bond that shared stories can strengthen.
Jonathan will also receive a £1,000 cash prize, which he plans to use to support his son’s treatment for cerebral palsy.
Busy Bees launched its nationwide bedtime storyteller search to celebrate the introduction of its new Bee Curious curriculum, which focuses on fostering a love of books and stories to support children’s development. It is the UK’s only independently evaluated curriculum, reviewed by the Open University, who concluded that it "equips children right from the start of life".
Jonathan expressed his happiness at winning, saying: “Being crowned Busy Bees’ Best Bedtime Storyteller is a real honour. The time my son and I spend reading together is really special, so this recognition means a lot.
“The prize will really help with my son’s physiotherapy, and I hope our story inspires others to discover the joy of reading together. It’s lovely that a community book donation is part of the prize too, as hopefully the 40 books will be read time and time again by local families with young children.”
Jenny Shaw, Academic Lead at Busy Bees, added: “Jonathan’s submission captured the magic of storytelling and the special connection it fosters between parents and children, and we’re pleased that the prize is going towards such a good cause.
“Stories are key in nurturing children’s language development and future success, which is why storytelling is at the heart of our new curriculum. We launched this nationwide competition to shine a light on the brightest and best storytellers across the country, and hope Jonathan’s story will encourage families in Surrey and elsewhere to embrace time spent reading together – both at bedtime and during other times of the day.
Susan Wills MBE, Assistant Director Arts, Culture & Libraries, said "I’m delighted that Egham Library has been selected to receive this selection of books, thanks to a local resident. This will greatly enhance our collection and provide local children with even more wonderful stories to enjoy.
"Reading is such an important skill, and having access to a diverse range of books can inspire imagination and creativity in young minds. We are incredibly grateful for this support, which will undoubtedly make a positive impact on the local community."
To find a Busy Bees nursery near you, visit: https://www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk/find-a-nursery