Wide support for Bookstart day

BORDERS, BLACKWELL'S and WHSmith are all supporting today's (Friday) National Bookstart Day, which celebrates the programme that gives three free packs of books to every child in the UK. A designated website, www.nationalbookstartday.org.uk, gives details of more than 1,500 Booktrust events taking place around Britain.

The Bookstart PoS displays, stickers, posters and bookmarks have been designed by The Gruffalo (Macmillan) illustrator Axel Scheffler, while over 250,000 copies of John Prater's Busy Bear (specially commissioned by Booktrust) are being given out free in 33 cities across the country today. Elsewhere, Booktrust launched its nationwide reading programme last week, Booktime 2007. Copies of Janet and Allan Ahlberg's Funnybones (Picture Puffin) are being distributed free to 700,000 schoolchildren across the UK. This initiative follows Booktrust's recent Booked Up initiative, which is giving a free book to every 11-year-old child across the country by Christmas. The selected books, from which the children are allowed to choose, include Sally Gardner's I, Coriander (Orion) and Unbelievable! by Paul Jennings (Puffin).

Booktrust has also released its shortlist for the Teenage Prize 2007, which includes Marcus Sedgwick's My Swordhand is Singing (Orion) and Just in Case by Meg Rosoff (Penguin). The winner will be announced on 31 October. Booktrust Director Viv Bird told PN: “We cannot underestimate the link between poor reading and social inclusion: boys with poor reading skills at aged 10 are likely to be socially excluded by the age of 35. Similarly, if 15-yearolds are reading for enjoyment, there is a direct link in their future success.

“We couldn't deliver what we do without the goodwill and support of publishers. But I'm looking for ways for us to do more. Quick Reads, for example, is a very interesting initiative and I'm keen to get into a dialogue with publishers about how we can support and develop them.” For more information, visit www.booktrust.org.uk.