Booktime giveaway includes Peter Rabbit 110th anniversary picture book
Catherine Gaunt
Thursday, May 3, 2012
A new retelling of Beatrix Potter's famous tale Peter Rabbit will be given to all four and five-year-olds starting school this year.
The picture book The Tale of A Naughty Little Rabbit is being published as part of a year of celebrations to mark the 110th anniversary of the much-loved story.
It will be included in the Booktime pack, which is given to all children starting Reception class in England.
The scheme funded by Booktrust and Pearson has been running since 2006 in England.
In total, 1.45 million books will be given to 725,000 four- and five-year-olds during the 2012/13 school year.
For the first time, the free books scheme will be expanded throughout Wales, following a pilot scheme in Bridgend and Wrexham, as part of a partnership between Pearson, Booktrust and the Welsh government.
In Wales 350,000 four and five-year-olds in the Foundation Phase will receive The Tale of A Naughty Little Rabbit, as well as a Welsh language title to be announced later this year.
The second book included in the bag for children in England is Tim’s Din, written by Monica Hughes and illustrated by Bill Ledger, a story about the adventures of a group of bored monkeys.
The book is published as part of the Phonics Bug series by Pearson UK and includes rhyming text and illustrations.
Viv Bird, chief executive of Booktrust, said, ‘Booktime is bringing two exciting books to over 700,000 homes this year, thanks to the partnership between Booktrust and Pearson.
‘This year’s book pack for England combines the timeless appeal of Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit with the modern, computer generated artwork of Tim’s Din - and we await the selection of the Welsh language title with great anticipation.
‘We know that all families will find something to love in their two free books, and that they will enjoy lots of laughter and surprises as they share the stories over and over again.’
The Tale of Peter Rabbit was first published in 1902 by Frederick Warne & Co., now an imprint of Penguin Children’s books.
Francesca Dow, managing director, Penguin Children’s, said, ‘Encouraging a lifelong love of reading is a fundamental part of what we do at Penguin Children’s and it is so exciting that through Booktime, we are able to reach so many children and enable them and their families to share in the joy of reading.
'Beatrix Potter was a wonderful storyteller - so good that 110 years later, her naughty little rabbit is still with us, and The Tale of Peter Rabbit can be enjoyed by a new generation of readers through this very special retelling.
‘I hope these books will inspire many hours of mischievous fun and laughter for children across England and Wales.’
It will be included in the Booktime pack, which is given to all children starting Reception class in England.
The scheme funded by Booktrust and Pearson has been running since 2006 in England.
In total, 1.45 million books will be given to 725,000 four- and five-year-olds during the 2012/13 school year.
For the first time, the free books scheme will be expanded throughout Wales, following a pilot scheme in Bridgend and Wrexham, as part of a partnership between Pearson, Booktrust and the Welsh government.
In Wales 350,000 four and five-year-olds in the Foundation Phase will receive The Tale of A Naughty Little Rabbit, as well as a Welsh language title to be announced later this year.
The second book included in the bag for children in England is Tim’s Din, written by Monica Hughes and illustrated by Bill Ledger, a story about the adventures of a group of bored monkeys.
The book is published as part of the Phonics Bug series by Pearson UK and includes rhyming text and illustrations.
Viv Bird, chief executive of Booktrust, said, ‘Booktime is bringing two exciting books to over 700,000 homes this year, thanks to the partnership between Booktrust and Pearson.
‘This year’s book pack for England combines the timeless appeal of Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit with the modern, computer generated artwork of Tim’s Din - and we await the selection of the Welsh language title with great anticipation.
‘We know that all families will find something to love in their two free books, and that they will enjoy lots of laughter and surprises as they share the stories over and over again.’
The Tale of Peter Rabbit was first published in 1902 by Frederick Warne & Co., now an imprint of Penguin Children’s books.
Francesca Dow, managing director, Penguin Children’s, said, ‘Encouraging a lifelong love of reading is a fundamental part of what we do at Penguin Children’s and it is so exciting that through Booktime, we are able to reach so many children and enable them and their families to share in the joy of reading.
'Beatrix Potter was a wonderful storyteller - so good that 110 years later, her naughty little rabbit is still with us, and The Tale of Peter Rabbit can be enjoyed by a new generation of readers through this very special retelling.
‘I hope these books will inspire many hours of mischievous fun and laughter for children across England and Wales.’
