Reading for pleasure: Reading for life - Booktrust, Book House, 45 East Hill, London SW18 2QZ www.booktrust.org.uk Registered charity 313343
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Reading for pleasure:
Reading for life
Booktrust, Book House,
45 East Hill, London SW18 2QZ
www.booktrust.org.uk
Registered charity 313343
Contents
01 Introduction
03 About Booktrust
04 Bookgifting
06 The bookgifting model
10 Early Years
16 Primary-aged children Introduction
24 Young People Booktrust is an independent charity
28 Adults dedicated to encouraging people of all
32 Summary ages and cultures to engage with books
and the written word. It is supported
by Arts Council England, central and
local government, children’s publishers
and other sponsors.
Independent reading for pleasure is the
most important indicator of the future
success of a child. Research from the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development (OECD, 2002) found
that enjoying reading is more important
for children’s educational success than their
family’s socio-economic status. Reading
Booktrust, Book House,
for pleasure is also proven to combat social 45 East Hill, London SW18 2QZ
exclusion, helps to raise literacy and www.booktrust.org.uk
educational standards and supports
health and emotional wellbeing.
All of this demonstrates the crucial
importance of reading for pleasure
in every child’s life.
Introduction | 01
Booktrust therefore works in partnership This document presents an overview of
with Local Authorities and Local NHS, how Bookstart, Booktime and Booked Up
to collectively achieve our vision of giving and also The Letterbox Club, provide
people of every age and culture the Local Authorities with a cultural and
educational, intellectual, health and creative entitlement for every child.
emotional, social, cultural and creative
benefits that arise from a love of As part of Booktrust’s wider offer,
reading and the written word. the bookgifting programmes offer the
opportunity for us to work together in
As a consortium member of the National supporting positive outcomes for the
Year of Reading 2008, Booktrust heartily whole community.
endorses the development of a Reading
Strategy in every Local Authority and
the National Literacy Trust’s Reading
for Life campaign.
02
> Inspiring a love of reading
> Reading for pleasure
> Reading for life
03
About Booktrust
Since its inception almost 80 years ago,
Booktrust’s vision has been to inspire
a love of reading for all.
Thanks to funding from the Arts Council Booktrust recognises and builds upon:
England, central and local government and > the critical importance of fathers,
a range of sponsors, Booktrust is now the mothers and other carers as first teachers
largest independent charity in the UK > the profound and lasting effect that the
dedicated to promoting books, stories attitudes and early skills developed in
and the written word. the home can have on a child’s future
as a lifelong reader and learner
Booktrust’s Values: > access to culture and creativity
> Creativity as a personal entitlement
> Expertise > the importance of independent
> Impact reading for pleasure and its positive
> Independence impact on emotional health
> Responsiveness and wellbeing.
Amongst Booktrust’s projects are three
universal bookgifting programmes – Bookstart,
Booktime and Booked Up – which provide free
books to children at five key points in their
development.
04
Bookgifting
In 1992, Booktrust worked in partnership with
libraries and health visitors in Birmingham to create
Bookstart. It started with 300 babies and grew
into the first national bookgifting
programme in the world.
Following the phenomenal success of
Bookstart, other countries have followed
our lead and Booktrust has encouraged
bookgifting across the globe.
North America/Carribean
South America
Global bookgifting programmes
Europe...................Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany,
Holland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland.
North America/
Caribbean..............British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, USA.
South America.......Columbia, Falkland Islands.
Asia.........................Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand.
Oceania..................Australia, New Zealand.
05
Europe
Asia
Oceania
06
The bookgifting model
In delivering Bookstart, Booktrust and our
partners pioneered a unique and powerful
public/private partnership, which has
impacted positively upon millions
of children.
The bookgifting model Francesca Dow
Bookstart, Booktime and Booked Up Chair of the Children’s Group,
Publishers Association
Bookstart offers the gift of free books to
all children at three key ages before they As publishers we are very aware of the research
start school. This phenomenal achievement that shows how important it is for all children,
is thanks to the powerful commitment of if they are to become life-long readers, to have
our sponsors and Local Authorities. The books at home – whether they are bought as
programme is enabled by funding from gifts or borrowed from the library. We support
central government and the generous Bookstart, which encourages parents to share
sponsorship of more than 25 children’s books with their baby from their earliest years
publishers. It is coordinated, resourced and Booktime, which gives books as children
and delivered locally via enthusiastic local start reception at age five.
public services professionals, including
Health Visitors, Librarians and Early We also support Booked Up, which
Years Professionals. ensures that all eleven-year-olds are given
the opportunity to choose a brand new
The success of Bookstart inspired Booktime book to keep as their own.
(for reception-aged children) and Booked Up
(for Year 7 children). The programmes provide This is an exciting and positive start
a continuum of intervention to support families to their secondary school years, especially
with young children and young people, for those children who do not have books
introducing and reinforcing the joy and value at home. Reading independently for pleasure
of sharing books. The book gifts reach children adds immeasurably to a child’s self awareness,
at times of key transition. They are gifted with general knowledge and education and is
positive messages and form important steps in every bit as important as reading in
every child’s reading journey. This is further the classroom.
supplemented by Booktrust’s other prizes
and programmes.
07 An exceptional value-added partnership The national bookgifting programmes have the Local Authorities and Local NHS are under potential to positively impact upon the lives of pressure to deliver high quality services with every child and should form a core offer within limited resources. Booktrust’s unique public/ the Reading Strategy of every authority. private partnership programmes receive £13million of government funding and thanks to our sponsorship support, Booktrust provides bookgifting programmes worth £69million free of charge to Local Authorities in England every year. The total annual value of £69million for Bookstart, Booktime and Booked Up refers to the programmes’ book packs, the dual language offers, additional needs packs, support materials and resources, central administration costs, warehouse and delivery services, as well as research costs. Booktrust also achieves high levels of media coverage, building awareness of the programmes, and of reading more generally, amongst established and new audiences alike. www.booktrust.org.uk
08
Inclusiveness and accessibility
Reading has the power to transform lives.
Books open us to new worlds and experiences
that are enriching and exciting, building our
imaginations, helping us to relate to others
and to the world around us.
Booktrust believes it’s important that Booktrust ensures that the illustrations and
everyone has access to the benefits of reading photography it commissions are representative
and that all individuals are able to find books and that children, in particular, can identify
to which they can relate. In promoting the with images and find role models in the
availability of a breadth of books that are books we use.
meaningful and relevant to a range of
audiences, Booktrust works hard to Some families, such as those in Gypsy,
improve inclusiveness and accessibility. Roma and Traveller communities, may be
less likely to come into regular contact with
the public services that provide book packs.
As part of the Bookstart programme, We therefore work with a wide range of
Booktrust produces two additional resource specialist teachers and support teams as well
packs: Booktouch for children 0 to four years as other charitable organisations to increase
old who are blind or partially sighted and access and broaden participation across
Bookshine for deaf children. the programmes.
The books on the Booked Up list include Booktrust also works with neonatal
engaging titles for pupils who have units, children’s hospices, hospital schools
additional needs. and Children and Adolescent Mental Health
Services units to ensure that as many children
as possible have access to the bookgifting
programmes.09
We ensure that materials are accessible for COMMUNITY
those fathers and mothers with less confidence
and experience with books as well as those
LANGUAGE VERSIONS
who already enjoy reading together with OF THE BOOKSTART
their children. By working closely with AND BOOKTIME
family learning coordinators, with community GUIDANCE
outreach workers and with organisations like INFORMATION
Home-Start, we can access and give direct ARE AVAILABLE IN
encouragement and support to those families
that need it most. In addition, the bookgifting
29 COMMUNITY
programmes are often used to promote LANGUAGES.
further opportunities for family learning
and adult learning.
WE WORK HARD
Volunteers are deployed in a number of TO ENCOURAGE
Local Authorities; they offer valuable support
in delivering the programmes and increased
PUBLISHERS TO
community cohesion via a worthwhile INCLUDE CHILDREN
and rewarding activity encouraging WITH DISABILITIES
children to love books. IN THEIR TITLES.
www.booktrust.org.uk10
1
Chapter11
Early Years
A child’s relationship with stories
can begin even before they are born.
At 24 weeks’ gestation a baby can hear,
and benefits from the sound
of books being shared.12
Bookstart
Reading stories, looking at the pictures and
singing rhymes all help in strengthening the
loving bond between parent and child and begin
to develop the language and listening skills
that give children a head start at school.
Stories, songs and rhymes should be available Bookstart baby pack
for all children to enjoy. A child who shares Sharing a book with a child is an
books every day and lives in a language-rich exchange of love.
home, is developing language and literacy skills,
as well as benefiting socially and emotionally. Bookstart+ for toddlers
All children should have access to stories, When fathers, mothers and carers share
songs and rhymes. books they open up their child’s world.
The Bookstart packs are provided at three My Bookstart Treasure Chest
key points in the child’s early development Book-sharing is not only about learning skills
(at approximately eight months, 18 to 30 or aptitudes – it is learning about the very
months and three to four years old). The packs nature of being human…
include books, which are carefully selected by
a panel of experts, as well as a wealth of advice
for parents and carers and an invitation to join
the library. From 18 months, children also We are currently piloting a new book gift pack
receive crayons and a drawing book to to support and encourage mothers and fathers
encourage early mark making. to develop good habits by reading to their
baby in the womb.
Bookstart promotes fathers, mothers
and carers as the child’s most important
and enduring teachers and encourages them
to become role models by valuing reading
in the home.13 More information on National Bookstart Day can be found on page 14
14
The Bookstart packs are supported by a wealth
of additional activities in libraries, Children’s
Centres and other settings, all designed to
continue parents’ engagement in sharing
books with children.
National Bookstart Day The Early Years Awards 2009 received
National Bookstart Day brings families, 190 entries across the three categories with
professionals and Bookstart together in a high-profile judging panel including
an annual celebration of the Bookstart Edith Bowman.
programme. In 2009, more than 5000 special
events took place across the country in a variety The Rhyme Challenge
of venues. Events are supported by printed The Rhyme Challenge launched in 2010
and downloadable resources from Booktrust, across Children’s Centres, Early Years
following a different theme each year. Settings and Primary schools. Children and
their mothers, fathers, carers and grandparents
National Bookstart Day 2010’s theme is will be invited to learn rhymes and will be
‘At the Seaside’. Our forthcoming themes are: awarded special certificates at The Rhyme
> June 2010 – At the Seaside Challenge celebration events. The rhymes
> June 2011 – All Aboard and resources featured in The Rhyme
> June 2012 (the 20th anniversary Challenge will be updated every year,
of Bookstart!) – Stories Around the with the aim of keeping rhymes alive
World. This will celebrate Bookstart’s and building good home/school
own expansion around the world and help relationships.
us to celebrate the Olympiad festivities.
Booktrust Early Years Awards
Created to celebrate, publicise and reward
the exciting range of books being published
today for children under five, Booktrust runs
its annual Early Years Awards. These recognise
excellence in three categories: the best book
for babies under one year old, the best picture
book for preschool and the best emerging
illustrator of a book for preschool children.15
> Over two million children a year receive > Each Bookstart pack reaches an average 95%
a free Bookstart pack. of eligible children.
Bookstart Book Crawl
The Bookstart Book Crawl promotes libraries
95% OF LOCAL
and reader development, providing resources
AUTHORITIES TAKE
free of charge to all Local Authorities. PART IN THE BOOK
CRAWL LIBRARY
We are investigating possibilities for further INCENTIVE. OF THESE,
increasing participation in Bookstart Book 90% HOLD IT ALL YEAR
Crawl through existing and new partnerships
with Children’s Centres, Nurseries, Clinics,
ROUND, WHILE 10%
shops and supermarkets.
USE A TARGETED
APPROACH
Children collect stickers at each library
visit towards a collection of limited edition
certificates. Beautifully illustrated, these
certificates serve as a wonderful reminder
of children’s earliest years as library users. AROUND 105,206
Children completing ten Bookstart Book BOOKSTART BOOK
Crawls will have visited the library
40 times and are awarded a special
CRAWL CERTIFICATES
Gold certificate. WERE AWARDED LAST
YEAR, EQUATING TO
420,824 LIBRARY
VISITS
CHILDREN COMPLETING
10 ‘CRAWLS’ RECEIVE
A GOLD CERTIFICATE.
THIS EQUATES TO
40 LIBRARY VISITS
www.booktrust.org.uk16
2
Chapter17
Primary-
aged
children
As children move into, and through,
primary school, books form an important
part of their formal learning, but it
remains vital to continue encouraging
book-sharing in the home.18
Primary-aged children
Independent reading and shared reading
for interest and enjoyment builds a child’s
confidence as a learner. When a child equates
reading with enjoyment and pleasure, that
association strongly enhances their
formal education.
Our programmes and activities affirm and Packs include a book, selected by an expert
encourage mothers, fathers and carers to share panel and guidance for parents and carers on
a love of books every day and support them in shared reading. Additional interactive resources
becoming role models for their children. are also sent to schools and participating
libraries to support use of the books.
Booktime
Booktime encourages parents and carers Booktime is supported in England by central
to enjoy sharing books with their reception- government and was launched by education
aged children (four to five years old) at this and publishing company Pearson in association
important transition stage in their learning with Booktrust in 2006.
and development.
The Children’s Laureate
Vibrant packs, characterised by ‘Booky’ The Children’s Laureate, sponsored by
the energetic book, are given to every Waterstone’s, is an award given to an eminent
reception-aged child during the author or illustrator every two years,
autumn term. recognising outstanding achievement in their
field. The Laureate undertakes to be an
ambassador for children’s books and to
encourage a love of reading amongst children
and young people. Booktrust administers the
award and looks after the selection process,
official events, press and public relations, the
web site and sponsorship.19
> 650,000 reception-aged pupils receive > School resource packs help teachers build
a Booktime pack every year. relationships with parents.
The idea for the Children’s Laureate
originated from a conversation between BOOKTIME IS
(the then) Poet Laureate Ted Hughes HELPING LIBRARIES
and children’s writer Michael Morpurgo. TO INCREASE THEIR
The illustrator Quentin Blake was the first MEMBERSHIP
Children’s Laureate (1999–2001), followed
by Anne Fine (2001–2003), Michael Morpurgo
AND USAGE.
(2003–2005), Jacqueline Wilson (2005–7),
Michael Rosen (2007–2009) and most recently
Anthony Browne (2009–11).
650,000
Each Children’s Laureate has made his or RECEPTION-AGED
her mark on the industry and Anthony Browne
is making his by promoting the value of
PUPILS RECEIVE
illustration in books for children of all ages. A BOOKTIME PACK
EVERY YEAR.20
Our aim for primary-aged children is that
they become confident readers who are inspired
to read widely and enjoy books outside
of the school environment.
Children’s Book Week Book Prizes
Children’s Book Week is a celebration of reading To recognise and reward the wealth and
for pleasure for children of primary school age, diversity of books written for children and
which takes place in the first full week of adults, Booktrust administers a number of
October. Booktrust sends packs of resources to literary prizes. We aim to celebrate emerging
all state primary schools, public libraries, and existing authors, raise the profile of
special schools and initial teacher training high quality books and promote them
institutions, including book recommendations, to children and families.
activities, information, posters and stickers.
The Roald Dahl Funny Prize was
Over 46,000 copies of the packs were created by former Children’s Laureate
distributed in 2009 and events and activities to Michael Rosen, to promote laughter and
celebrate reading took place in schools, libraries feel-good factor when reading, by encouraging
and other venues all over the country. families to read together and discover the
pleasure of humorous books. This in turn
Booktrust also produces a wealth of other will reinforce the message that reading
resources for teachers and schools, available together promotes family wellbeing.
both in print and electronically.
The prize is awarded for the funniest
Everybody Writes books in two categories: for children
Everybody Writes is all about taking writing aged six years and under, and children
beyond the classroom, and into the playground seven to14 years old.
and the wider community. Primary and
secondary teachers can find a wealth of writing
ideas and model projects on the Everybody
Writes website, inspiring them to create
engaging writing activities for their students.21
‘People always want to know of funny The prestigious Blue Peter Book Awards were
books for children. There’s always a birthday established in 2000. Winners are short-listed
or a Christmas present to think about, there’s by a panel of adult judges and then a group
always a long journey, there are always wet of young Blue Peter viewers judge the three
days on holiday. But where are the categories: Book I Couldn’t Put Down, Best
funny books? Book with Facts and Most Fun Story with
Pictures. The panel of young readers then
They’re here! At the Roald Dahl Funny picks the title which deserves the accolade,
Prize! We choose the top six funny books Blue Peter Book of the Year.
for the youngest and the same again for the
older children and then two outright winners
from the twelve. It’s a feast of laughs and
giggles for everyone. I’m over the moon
to be one of the judges again.’ Michael Rosen,
Chair of judges, The Roald Dahl funny prize.
www.booktrust.org.uk22
The Letterbox Club focuses on improving
the educational outlook for looked-after children
aged between seven and 11 by providing them with
a parcel of books, maths activities and stationery
every month, for six months.
The Letterbox Club ‘I think it’s a highly admirable project –
The Letterbox Club parcels are sent directly and children, parents and carers are very
to the child at their foster home or other pleased to receive free books especially
residence. The Letterbox Club is also suitable where affordability and ownership
for other vulnerable children who need of books is a luxury.’
additional support. Teacher
Research shows that looked-after children ‘It got children into libraries who hadn’t
underachieve in education but evaluation previously visited and made them want to
of the Letterbox Club shows a demonstrable come back, many said they would ask
impact with the majority of children improving mums to bring them later.’
their standardised score in reading. The key Librarian
benefits of their participation are:
‘I think that providing for those children
> Increased involvement of who need that extra push is brilliant – we all
children in their own learning know the statistics relating to looked-after
> Gains in reading and number children within the city and anyone who can
work for many children make a difference needs praise indeed.’
> Enjoyment for the child in receiving Foster parent
a series of personalised parcels
> Increased involvement of carers.
The Letterbox Club is available as a
purchasable programme across the UK.23
‘Jake felt rather special as he loved the
postman delivering his parcel each month.
He enjoyed getting everyone together and
playing with his games and reading his
THERE ARE CURRENTLY
books.’ Carer of Year 5/6 boy. 129 LOCAL AUTHORITIES
ACROSS THE UK
‘Danielle really enjoys her parcels – SUBSCRIBING TO
it helps her because she finds concentrating THE LETTERBOX CLUB
difficult but I have noticed her reading the WITH JUST UNDER
books quietly to herself, which doesn’t
happen often!!’ Carer of Year 3/4 girl.
5,000 CHILDREN
RECEIVING
‘Dylan reads every morning before 30,000 PARCELS
school, he reads to Jack who is five.’ IN 2009.
Carer of boy aged nine.
‘I read to my sisters, about vampire bats.
They said, “George, what’s in that book?”
and I said “Nothing much, unless you want
me to read it to you?” and they said “Yes”.’
Boy aged eight.
www.booktrust.org.uk24
3
Chapter25
Young
people
Reading for pleasure is often lost
when children start secondary school
as other interests fight for their leisure
time and school work becomes more
time consuming.26
At this time of transition it is essential
that reading still has a place as a pleasurable
activity, chosen for fun, not just for
school work.
Enjoying books during these years is
IN THE FIRST important, and can offer young adults insight
TWO YEARS OF into the world around them, as well as relief
THE PROGRAMME, from stress and an enjoyable escape to other
OVER 1.3 MILLION worlds! Volunteers are deployed in a number
CHILDREN RECEIVED of Local Authorities; they offer valuable
support in delivering the programmes
A BOOKED and increased community cohesion via
UP BOOK. a worthwhile and rewarding activity
encouraging children to love books.
Booked Up
Booked Up promotes reading for pleasure
amongst the Year 7 age group by giving each
11-year-old in England the gift of a free book
86% OF BOOKED from a list of titles, each carefully selected
UP COORDINATORS to appeal to its pre-teen audience.
SURVEYED IN 2008 SAW
EVIDENCE THAT PUPILS Coordinators in secondary schools manage
WANTED TO READ the programme and pupils are thrilled to
MORE AS A RESULT choose their own book. Schools often arrange
opportunities to swap with friends, or to
OF BOOKED UP. visit the school and local libraries. Some
keen children read their way through
the entire list.27
> The group of Everybody Writes > We have distributed approximately 9,000
Enthusiasts has grown 700% in the Everybody Writes printed brochures to schools
past year. and Local Authorities across England.
The Teenage Prize Everybody Writes
The Booktrust Teenage Prize is a national Complementing Booktrust’s work to support
book prize that recognises and celebrates the reading, Everybody Writes offers secondary
best in literature for teenagers. Building on the teachers inspiring ideas and practical resources
Booked Up programme that reaches 670,000 to get young people excited about writing.
children annually, the Booktrust Teenage Prize Writing games and model projects can be found
is introduced in Year 8, helping to maintain on the website.
young people’s interest in reading.
Launched to recognise and celebrate
contemporary fiction written for teenagers,
the prize (which is judged by a mixed panel
of adults and teenagers) has in the words of
former judge Matt Whyman ‘fast become
the benchmark for quality young people’s
fiction in the UK’.
www.booktrust.org.uk28
4
Chapter29
Adults
Reading is as beneficial for adults as it
is for children, opening us to new ideas
and experiences.30
Reading can provide a safe space in which to explore
themes and issues relevant to any society and enables
readers to speak more powerfully of the concerns and
aspirations of the present… reading the novels and
poetry of another country, another time and another
world from the reader’s own can get ‘under the
skin’ of peoples and cultures.
Prizes Booktrust also runs Bookbite, an exciting
First awarded in 1996, the Orange Prize project promoting reading and creative writing
for Fiction is the UK’s only book awards to the over 60s, who now constitute over half
for fiction written by a woman. The Prize the population. Through a targeted magazine,
celebrates excellence, originality and and highly accessible website, Bookbite inspires
accessibility in women’s writing from those who rarely or never engage with books to
throughout the world. The Orange Prize get more out of reading and writing, whether
for New Writers was created in 2005. in traditional form, or using new technology.
The John Llewellyn Rhys Prize, founded Booktrust supports other projects that
67 years ago in honour of the writer John encourage less-confident adults to engage
Llewellyn Rhys, who was killed in action with books, such as The Booktrust Power of
in World War II, is open to British and Reading Awards, as part of the NIACE Adult
Commonwealth writers of fiction, non-fiction Learners awards.
and poetry, aged 35 or under, at the time
of publication. Booktrust’s websites support reading at all
ages, including that of adults. With reviews,
The BBC National Short Story Award is the resources and advice from our experts, there’s
world’s largest for a single short story. Aimed at something to capture everyone’s imagination.
highlighting the importance of the short story
after many years of neglect, the ambition of
both the award and supporting campaign is
to expand opportunities for British writers,
readers and publishers of the short story.
The award aims to honour the country’s
finest authors in the form.31
32 Reading for pleasure: Reading for life Together we touch the lives of children and adults and together we encourage every person on their reading journey, from babyhood through primary and secondary years and on to adulthood. In order to fully realise the potential of the bookgifting programmes, we call for Bookstart, Booktime, Booked Up and The Letterbox Club to be embedded as a core offer within every Local Authority’s Reading Strategy and its Children and Young People’s Plan. Booktrust seeks to find new and creative ways of inspiring all people with a love of reading and writing and encourages you to join us in this exciting journey. www.booktrust.org.uk
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