Melling and Vere picked for 2018 Bookstart packs

BookTrust will give books by David Melling and Ed Vere to more than a million children this year through its giveaway programmes.

The charity has ordered 600,000 copies of 123 Splosh, an introduction to numbers and counting, by David Melling (Hodder) to in its Bookstart Baby packs. The packs also include rhyme sheets and are given to parents of young babies every year via local councils.

BookTrust will also give out around 600,000 copies Ed Vere’s Max the Brave (PRH Children’s), about a kitten who sets out to find a mouse to chase, in its Bookstart Treasure pack given to three-four year-olds in nurseries.

Diana Gerald, c.e.o. at BookTrust, said: “Starting 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.”