Other bookgifting schemes
Booktrust has unique expertise in bookgifting in the UK that is widely recognised, giving free books and guidance materials directly into the homes of babies, toddlers and young children up to the age of three (Bookstart), after they start primary school (Booktime) and offering a choice of one free book at the age of eleven after the move to secondary school (Booked Up).
All Booktrust bookgifting programmes include targeted support for children who are less likely to have access to the free books offers because of language, literacy skills, culture, disability, or other factors.
Booktime
Booktime encourages parents and carers to read aloud with their children and help foster a love of books at a key stage in their child’s education and development.
Shortly after they start school, children receive from their teachers a special book bag containing a children’s illustrated book and a special Booktime Book of Fantastic First Poems, both published by Puffin, to take home to share with family and friends. The bag also contains a guidance booklet for parents and carers on shared reading, a Booktime Top Tips poster and a memo for parents and carers.
In 2009, schools and libraries in England will also receive free tailored Booktime resource packs to facilitate linked activities and enhance the children’s enjoyment of the gift book.
Booktime was launched by education and publishing company Pearson in association with independent charity Booktrust, to promote the pleasure of reading and encourage parents and carers to read aloud with their children. Booktime was piloted in Warwickshire and the London Borough of Southwark in January 2006.
The Booktime books for 2009 are Mr Big by Ed Vere and The Booktime Book of Fantastic First Poems edited by June Crebbin.
The Booktime website http://www.booktime.org.uk features information about the scheme as well as dowloadable resources, book reviews, games and much more.
Booked Up
Booked Up is a national programme that encourages Year 7 children to read for pleasure by providing every child with a free book. It is run by Booktrust and supported by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
Booked Up’s goal is to encourage and support reading for pleasure among children in the Year 7 age group, by providing each Year 7 in England with a free book from a list of 12 specially selected titles.
The 2008/09 programme was a huge success with over 672,000 children receiving their free Booked Up book. In November, five regional events were held at which Year 7s had the opportunity to meet some of the 2008 Booked Up authors.
Visit the Booked Up website http://www.bookedup.org.uk to find out more.
Letterbox Club
The Letterbox Club focuses on improving the educational outlook for children aged 7-11 in foster families by providing them with a parcel of books, maths activities and educational materials every month for six months.
Research shows that children in care underachieve in education but evaluation from pilots of the Letterbox Club showed a demonstrable impact with the majority of children improving their standardised score in reading.
Booktrust has received support from the Department for Children, Schools and Families and sponsorship from Penguin to extend the programme to more than 1,200 children in 2007 and 2008, with a view to involving all children in this age range in foster care from 2009 onwards.
Books included in the Letterbox Club parcels include titles by Jacqueline Wilson, Anne Fine, Michael Rosen, Francesca Simon,Roald Dahl, Jeremy Strong, Philip Pullman and Dr Seuss as well as a selection of non-fiction and novelty titles.
Visit the Letterbox Club website http://www.letterbox.org.uk to find out more.
This project is run by Booktrust (United Kingdom)