Bookstart 20 at London Book Fair
The Bookstart Bear meets the Walker Books bear
23 April 2012
Yesterday's Bookstart 20 reception at the London Book Fair was vibrant and well-attended. Following the meeting of the bears - where the Walker Books bear presented the Bookstart Bear with a pledge and some friendly high fives - a wide spread of authors and publishers arrived to hear Viv Bird thank our supporters, and celebrate with cake.
Viv welcomed everyone and introduced Bookstart as the programme which "supports that reading journey for all children across the country, regardless of whether their parents own books or don't own books, go to the library or don't go to the library." She went on to reminisce on the origins of Booktrust 20 year ago in Birmingham, and the journey it's taken despite difficult financial times, and commended the support of publishers along the way.
Viv also outlined the Bookstart 20 campaign and commitment to share 20 books, detailing how the campaign is unfolding, with Colleen Rooney, Cliff Richard and 'ordinary people like us' pledging to take part. The programme is a commitment to ensure that a whole range of books are getting into homes all across the country. 'We want that programme to be open to every publisher,' Viv emphasised, encouraging publishers and authors to sign up - both as individuals and corporations.
Chair of the PA Children's Group Mike Richards then remarked on how Bookstart has not just given children stories, but 'through those stories a window to a world so far beyond their own experience'.
He was followed by author and former writer-in-residence at Booktrust, Patrick Ness who gave a moving account of reading for pleasure, describing the attachment to his first book, Richard Scarry's Storybook Dictionary. 'It was my book,' he stressed. 'And it was truly the first book that taught me to read. That's the brilliant thing about Bookstart - start is the key word.'
Founder of Bookstart Wendy Cooling also said a few words about the programme's incredible journey, remembering the boy who had never held a book in his hand: 'I thought this was a terrible thing and it must never happen again,' said Wendy, and so Bookstart was born. Finally Sue Horner, chair of Booktrust, gave her closing remarks and toast.
Authors including Mal Peet, Moira Young and Axel Scheffler, and publishers from Walker, Hatchette, Random House, Bloomsbury, Templar, Usborne, among others stayed for drinks and Bookstart's 20th birthday cake. The cake was reportedly so good that Patrick returned to the podium to implore people to indulge, and tweeted describing it as 'Heaven'. Needless to say, no further imploration was necessary.
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Comments
I was so pleased when Can You See a Little Bear was chosen to be one of the Bookstart books. We had few books in my home when I was growing up, but my parents would take me to the library because they knew how important it was to be able to read. They both left school when they were 14 as their parents couldn't afford for them to stay on. My mum had wanted to train to be a teacher. Imagine having your dreams shattered at such an early age.
My children have been lucky and grown up in a house that is in a way made of books. I hope Bookstart continues to reach those in society, from every background, who may not have access to books.
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