CHILDREN under five in Bradford are to get a big boost to help them with their reading, thanks to a £1.2m windfall from the Arts Council England.
The cash will fund the Book Trust’s continuing work in the Bradford district for a further four years, through the Bookstart scheme. Bookstart aims to present a free reading pack to all children in England and Wales during their first year of life and again when they are three or four years old.
The news comes two weeks after the Arts Council announced a £7m cash injection for the district’s biggest arts groups.
Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s executive member for environment, sport and culture, said: “This is more great news for Bradford. It’s important that children develop a love of books from an early age.
“Bookstart is overseen by the library service in our authority and in the last year has given away 28,000 books via libraries, children’s centres and health visitors.”
The libraries are also given an additional 8,000 black and white books for newborn babies. These stimulate babies’ vision and are easier for them to focus on.
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