Almost half a million books will again be gifted to primary pupils in Scotland this week as part of Book Week Scotland.
Every child currently in P1-3 in Scotland - when pupils are aged roughly between 4 and 8 - will receive free books as part of the annual celebration.
The annual giveaway, run by charity the Scottish Book Trust, aims to ensure that the roots of enjoying reading - and the powerful and wide-ranging benefits it brings - are laid down in the early years.
The Scottish Book Trust worked in partnership with Scottish government, Education Scotland and Creative Scotland to devise and deliver this year’s bags.
In total, 458,450 free books will be gifted. Some 63,000 bags will be given to P1 pupils across Scotland, plus 750 Gaelic bags, all containing three books each.
The books included in the Bookbug Primary 1 Family Bag are shortlisted for the Bookbug Picture Book Prize, which celebrates the very best of Scottish authors and illustrators. The titles are: Eric Makes a Splash by Emily MacKenzie (Bloomsbury); One Button Benny by Alan Windram, illustrated by Chloe Holwill-Hunter (Little Door Books); and I Am Bat by Morag Hood (Two Hoots Books).
Getting families reading together
New books, writing materials and counting games will also be included in this year’s Read, Write, Count bags, gifted to all P2 and P3 pupils in Scotland. More than 133,000 bags of books will be distributed during Book Week Scotland, to encourage family learning alongside school learning.
This year’s bags will contain books such as A Tale of Two Beasts by Fiona Robertson and the Children’s Picture Atlas, along with storytelling cards and dice, number games and a guide for parents to help them incorporate easy and fun reading, writing and counting activities into their family’s day to day lives.
There are also Gaelic Read Write Count bags for P2 and P3 pupils in Gaelic Medium Education.
Marc Lambert, chief executive of the Scottish Book Trust, said the annual celebration was the perfect time for families to develop a love of reading, and that sharing a story together was one of the most powerful ways for parents and children to bond.
Education secretary John Swinney said research had shown that three-quarters of teachers surveyed stated that their pupils were more enthusiastic about books since receiving their bags.
He added: “The learning materials in our gift bags encourage parents to try simple reading, writing and counting activities at home with their children. These activities not only improve numeracy and literacy skills but can help keep the kids entertained and make everyday family life a little bit easier.”
