Three is the magic number

Booktrust is more used to handing out prizes than receiving them, but this autumn we are in the running for three prestigious awards for our work

Booktrust has been shortlisted for Third Sector's Big Impact Award for Bookstart, the free bookgifting programme for babies and toddlers which celebrates its 20th birthday in 2012. The Big Impact Award recognises a voluntary organisation that has had a substantial impact on national or international life. That is certainly true of Bookstart which, since it began in 1992, has delivered more than 30 million books to babies and toddlers along with support and warm and friendly advice for parents. It has also been replicated in 20 countries around the world - from Jamaica to South Korea. The winners will be announced on Thursday 27 September. In 2011 Booktrust won the Third Sector Charity Partnership Award for our work on the Letterbox Club - improving the lives and educational outlook for looked after children - with Fostering Network NI.

Booktime - run by Booktrust in partnership with Pearson - has been nominated for a Lord Mayor's Dragon Award for Education. The Awards - established by the then Lord Mayor Sir David Rowe-Ham in 1987 and named after the guardians of the City of London - recognise the contribution of companies in their communities. Booktime gives a free book pack to every eligible child soon after they first start primary school, with guidance for parents and carers on shared reading. It began in 2006 and will this year deliver its 6 millionth free book. The gift of a free book pack supports family engagement in shared reading at an important transitional stage in children's learning and development. Winners will be announced at the Lord Mayor's Dragon Awards gala ceremony at Mansion House in the City of London on Wednesday 3 October.

Finally, in August we told you about Booktrust being shortlisted for a Charity Times Award for Best Charity in our income bracket. This is a great endorsement for Booktrust's work to foster a lifelong love of reading and writing, and a recognition of our many partners and funders who work with us to help make our dreams a reality. We face stiff opposition from seven other organisations including The Football Foundation and Anthony Nolan. The winners will be announced at Lancaster London hotel on Thursday 18 October.

Keep checking back on our homepage to see how we get on.