Bookstart recognises the importance of encouraging all parents and carers to enjoy books with children from as early an age as possible.
With this in mind, Bookstart has produced a new pack called Bookshine which offers free books and information specifically designed to suit deaf children’s needs especially as 90 percent are born to hearing parents with little experience of deafness.
The Bookshine pack is aimed at parents of deaf children aged up to five years. It includes a touch and feel book and a book featuring simple British Sign Language (BSL) signs and an image of a child with a hearing aid as it is important that deaf children see themselves in books.
The Bookshine pack contains:
By summer 2008, an older picture book will also be available as an alternative to one of the board books. The Bookshine books and accompanying materials have been chosen in partnership with the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) and parents of deaf children.
Booktrust already provides Booktouch packs for blind and partially sighted children. This pack has also now been revised and fully updated. The pack includes information and advice as well as two touch and feel books, ideal for stimulating children's sense of touch.
The Booktouch pack contains:
The Booktouch materials have been developed in partnership with the RNIB and parents of blind and partially sighted children.
Bookstart is run by Booktrust, an independent national charity that encourages people of all ages and cultures to discover and enjoy reading.
Bookstart gives the gift of free books to children at around eight months, 18 months and three years, along with guidance materials for parents and carers.
Parents wishing to receive a pack should speak to their health visitor or contact their local library.