Over 1.2 million children are to be gifted with free books this week as BookTrust reveals the two new Bookstart Baby and Treasure packs titles for 2018.
BookTrust, the UK’s largest children’s reading charity has revealed the two titles chosen for this year’s Bookstart Baby and Bookstart Treasure packs.
David Melling’s adorable 123 Splosh (published by Hodder) has been chosen for the Bookstart Baby pack (aimed at newborn – 12 months), while Bookstart Treasure pack (which goes out to 3-4 year olds) will contain the bold and colourful Max the Brave by Ed Vere (published by Penguin Random House Children’s UK).
The Bookstart Baby pack will see 600,000 free copies of each book sent out to families with young children. The pack also includes rhyme sheets and a booklet filled with tips and ideas for sharing books and stories. Bookstart Treasure builds on the impact of the Bookstart Baby programme and supports children and families to experience reading and its benefits at a young age.
Both Bookstart packs are gifted by BookTrust though local councils via a network of health visitors and other professionals as well as via nurseries, children’s centres or other early years settings.
“Starting a reading routine early sets young children up to continue reading and enjoying stories as they grow, to find new adventures to get lost in, to experience the simple joy that a story brings,” comments BookTrust ceo Diana Gerald. “Children who read for pleasure, or are read to from a young age are likely to do better at school, as well as being more socially, culturally and emotionally prepared for life.”
Bookstart, which celebrated its 25th year in 2017 is the world’s first national bookgifting programme, gifting children in England free books at two key ages before they start school, to help develop a love of stories and books.
