Thursday 1st July 2010
On Wednesday 30th June, West Dunbartonshire is launching ‘BOOKBUG’ - Scottish Book Trust’s new Early Years Programme, (formerly known as Bookstart) together with a brand new mascot.
The programme in West Dunbartonshire includes over 4000 free packs of books for babies, toddlers, three year olds and Primary ones, and free Bookbug sessions (which in 2009-10 had audiences of over 9000) These will stay the same, but with a brand new Scottish identity.
The new identity has been created by acclaimed Scottish author and illustrator Debi Gliori and Bookbug will now replace the Bookstart Bear as the new face of the book gifting programme.
The bespoke packs will be especially tailored to the Scottish early years’ environment, feature more Scottish authors and illustrators, and strongly support the Scottish publishing industry.
Councillor Jonathan McColl, Education Convenor for West Dunbartonshire Councilis confident that the improvements to the programme will strengthen its impact on children and parents in West Dunbartonshire, with the continued aim that more parents will be reading more often with their children:
“It has been proven that babies and toddlers who are exposed to books on a regular basis are further ahead in reading, writing, numeracy and listening skills when they reach school. This is why West Dunbartonshire is so pleased to support Scottish Book Trust’s Early Years programme– as a universal scheme, based on scientific evidence, it is part of the solution to increasing literacy levels in all our communities.”
