Babies and toddlers will be able to benefit from free book packs this year available through the Bookstart BookTrust scheme.<\/p>\n
Two new titles have been chosen for 2018,\u00a0David Melling\u2019s 123 Splosh for the Bookstart Baby pack and Max the Brave by Ed Vere for the Bookstart Treasure pack.<\/p>\n
A total of 600,000 free copies of 123 Splosh will be given out to families across the country with babies aged from birth to 12 months via health visitors and council run schemes.<\/p>\n
A 600,000 children aged 3-4 years will get a free Treasure pack of Max the Brave from the nursery, children’s centre or the early years setting they attend.<\/p>\n
Bookstart was launched 25 years ago and aims to give children in England a love of reading by giving out free books before they start school.<\/p>\n
CEO of BookTrust,\u00a0Diana Gerald said: \u201cStarting 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. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n