History

Inspired by the highly successful Bookstart scheme, Booktime was launched in 2006 by Pearson, the world's leading learning company in association with independent charity Booktrust.

We have been lucky enough to work with some fantastic authors over the last four years and have already given over five million book packs out to children in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The programme was initially piloted in two Local Authorities, Warwickshire and Southwark, in 2006, with Lynley Dodd's Hairy Maclary's Bone. After a resounding success, the programme was extended across the country in 2006. Booktime worked in partnership with 77 local authorities, and gave over 260,000 children the free bookpacks.

Janet & Allan Ahlberg's Funnybones was the book of choice in 2007. The free book packs were given to over 700,000 children across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, a fantastic achievement.

In 2008 Ian Whybrow's Harry and the Dinosaurs go to School featured in our book packs, along with a new addition of The Booktime Book of Fantastic First Poems. These were received with much enthusiasm by children, teachers, carers and librarians alike.

In 2009 Booktime introduced the bright and vibrant Mr Big, by Ed Vere to the book packs. This was an exciting book from a very up and coming author, and complemented our Booktime Book of Fantastic Poems brilliantly, which was carried over for a second year.

In 2010, for the big fifth birthday, Booktime gave away a title by much-loved children’s author Eric Carle.“Slowly, Slowly, Slowly,” Said the Sloth was a visual feast, with lush rainforest colours and exotic creatures. The story of the sloth encouraged children to celebrate our world, and to reflect on individuality. The Booktime book packs also contained a fact book called Why is the Sky Blue?. Compiled by Geraldine Taylor and illustrated by Amy Schimler, this novelty book answered real questions that children ask about the world around them.

In 2011 the free books that each reception pupil received as a gift in the autumn term were Claudia Lloyd's Why Elephant has a Trunk (Puffin), from the Tinga Tinga Tales series, and Face Painting, (Pearson UK) by Monica Hughes.

2012's free books titles will be announced very soon - check the homepage for details.

You may be interested in these other free books programmes:

• Bookstart is a national programme from independent charity Booktrust that gives free packs of books to babies and toddlers, and guidance materials to parents and carers.

• Booked Up is a national programme from independent charity Booktrust that encourages Year 7 children to read for pleasure by providing every child with their choice of a free book.

• We Give Books is a digital initiative created by the Penguin Group and the Pearson Foundation. We Give Books enables anyone with access to the Internet to put books in the hands of children who don't have them, simply by reading online.