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.