The UK’s largest children’s reading charity, BookTrust launched its third annual Time to Read campaign, giving away more than 700,000 books to four- and five-year-olds.
Every reception-aged child in England will receive a copy of Little Monkey by author and illustrator Marta Altés (and published by Pan Macmillan) inside a special Time to Read pack that each child can keep and take home. Inside the pack is a message for families about the importance of shared reading and practical tips and advice for bringing the story to life at home.
“Illustrated books are a wonderful resource for children to help them develop key skills, build their confidence and grow their imagination,” said Diana Gerald, chief executive of BookTrust. “Visual clues in the story can help them to decipher meaning and encourage them to engage with the narrative on their own terms, beyond just the words.”
Marta Altés , author and illustrator of Little Monkey, said; “It’s wonderful that Little Monkey will be used to start little people on their reading journey. I hope that Little Monkey and her adventures in the jungle not only inspire a love of reading but also remind children that even when you’re small, you can do amazing things!”
