Inspired by the highly successful Bookstart scheme, Booktime was launched in 2006 by education and publishing company Pearson 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 two million book packs out to children in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
We initially piloted the programme in two Local Authorities in 2006, with Lynley Dodd's Hairy Maclary's Bone. Warwickshire and Southwark were the local authorities which kindly participated, and after a resounding success, it 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, which continued the theme of bones. 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 to feature in our bookpack, along with a new addition of The Booktime Book of Fantastic First Poems. These were received with superb delight and enthusiasm by children, teachers, carers and librarians alike.
For its fourth birthday in 2009 Booktime will be introducing the bright and vibrant Mr Big by Ed Vere to be the book of choice the bookpack. This is a new and exciting book from a very up and coming author, and complements our Booktime Book of Fantastic Poems brilliantly.
You may be interested in Booktrust's other book gifting schemes:
Bookstart is a national programme that gives a free pack of books to babies and guidance materials to parents and carers.
Booked Up is a national programme that encourages Year 7 children to read for pleasure by providing every child with a free book.
