Books for Babes Winter 2008 | 9/19/2008

Newsletter Winter 08 Issue 18

BOOKS FOR BABES - A SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP Books for Babes Trust is expanding and meeting the needs of families across Auckland. We have now delivered over 16,000 books to families with new born children in Auckland. In conjunction with funding organisations and our partners Plunket, ADHB, Auckland Libraries, Manukau Libraries, Waitakere Libraries and Rotary Club of Auckland, we are making a real contribution to the awareness of the value of reading to children. Books for Babes Trust currently offers the Books for Babes programme throughout Auckland City. We are seeking funding to extend the programme out to Greater Auckland and a pilot programme in Taranaki. In addition we are working with partners to provide Books for Newborns in Waitakere City and areas of Manakau City. Penguin group and other publishers are supporting Books for Babes by providing us generous discounts. If you are interested in providing a regular donation please follow the 'How to Help' link on our website or contact us

Books for Babes is a New Zealand initiative involving the Rotary Club of Auckland, Plunket, Auckland City Libraries and the Auckland District Health Board.

The aims of the project are to:

• Stimulate parent/child relationships by promoting the value of reading to children
• Give children, who may not have the opportunity, access to books

About Books for Babes
Books for Babes started as a trial project in 1997 involving the Rotary Club of Auckland, Plunket, Auckland City Libraries and the Auckland District Health Board (ADHB). The Books for Babes Trust purchases the books, then Plunket Nurses and ADHB Therapists and Public Health Nurses deliver them to families identified as lacking opportunities. Instruction in the benefits of reading is given by the trusted health professionals to mothers or caregivers. The delivery and instruction cycle begins at five weeks after birth, and then every three months until five books are given. Auckland City Libraries has assisted in ascertaining which books are most appropriate for the age of the child. Several language options are available in addition to English including Maori, Tongan, Samoan, Nieu, Cook Island Maori, Fijian, Tokelau and Mandarin. Siblings, if present, are also given an appropriate book as a goodwill gesture. In addition the family is introduced to Auckland City Libraries to give them access to a wide range of opportunities for improving literacy in the home.


 

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