Bookstart in Scotland
Bookstart in Scotland is part of the UK-wide Bookstart programme administered by Booktrust, which encourages all parents and carers to enjoy books with children from as early an age as possible. We want every child in the UK to develop a lifelong love of books. It is a public and private partnership and benefits from sponsorship from over 20 children’s publishers, Red House Books and central funding from the Scottish Executive.
Working through locally based organisations, Bookstart provides free books to children at around eight weeks, 18 months and 3 years old, along with guidance materials for parents and carers. Bookstart also aims to foster a love of books through a range of fun activities. Parents wishing to receive a pack should speak to their health visitor or contact their local library.
Bookstart is run by Booktrust, an independent national charity that encourages people of all ages and cultures to discover and enjoy reading. Amongst Booktrust’s other projects are the Orange Prize for Fiction, National Children’s Book Week, the Children’s Laureate and the Booktrust Teenage Prize.
Bookstart is universal: Booktrust aims for every baby in the UK to get a Bookstart pack. It is estimated that the programme currently reaches 90% of babies in the UK, and we’re working hard to fill the gaps.
Many parents are surprised to learn that babies can benefit from books at such an early age, but research shows that babies and toddlers who love books begin reading sooner and have a better chance at school.
The first five years are the best time for learning to talk and most of a child's language comes from the adults around them. Enjoying books with babies and toddlers is a wonderful way to increase language skills and helps children to understand their world.
The massive success of Bookstart has prompted Booktrust to develop two further free book programmes in the UK: Booktime, run in association with Pearson, gives a free book to every Year One pupil and Booked Up, which gives a free book from a choice of twelve, to every Year Seven pupil.
Website
For further information about Bookstart or to subscribe to their newsletter, visit the Bookstart website.
National Bookstart Day 2007
National Bookstart Day 2007 is on Friday 5 October and the theme is Jungle Party!
The event is hosted at Edinburgh Zoo, and special guests will take part in loads of jungle-themed activities, including face painting, Rhymetime and story-telling sessions and a jungle adventure in the zoo.
In addition, thousands of families from across Scotland will be invited to take part in a range of local activities, highlighting the fun of book sharing; including rhymetimes, appearances from the Bookstart Bear and jungle-themed adventures, as well as song and story-telling sessions in bookshops, libraries and a range of venues.
National Bookstart Day encourages a love of reading for reading's sake, helping children in the earliest stages of their development to associate books with pleasure.
For further information please visit the Bookstart website.