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.
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.
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.uk
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11 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.uk
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17 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.uk
22 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.uk
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25 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.uk
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29 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.
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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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