Just before Christmas ’10, Booktrust was told that it was losing all of its £13 million Government funding for schemes in England from April.  Booktrust has introduced thousands of children to the pleasures and benefits of reading and given families an enjoyable way to interact – a welcome alternative to toys and television.

The charity, operating since 1992 provides Bookstart packs to parents when their babies are first born and then further books at later stages in their development. Its co-founder, Wendy Cooling, was awarded the MBE in 2008 for services to children’s literacy.

In the light of these cuts here are our top tips for increasing your child’s access to books and the joy of reading:

1. It’s obvious, but make use of the library, most libraries can order books in for you if they don’t have them so this is a no brainer.  Also lots have reading sessions which can help if you are running our of steam or you want to bring reading to life for your children.

2. Keep giving books as gifts.  I know with my nieces and nephews, that they want lots of other gifts apart from books and while these can be great it’s really important than we keep giving books.

3. Be an example. Show your children what reading can bring to your life.  We cannot expect our children to keep reading if don’t read ourselves.

4. Hit the charity shops. Charity shops are loaded with second hand books and with the advent of Oxfam books it is easier than ever to grab some book bargains.

5. Arrange book swaps with friends and family rather than buy books new.

6. Give a comic subscription as gifts which are a great fun way of kids reading.

7. Keep reading with your children. This doesn’t need to stop when children start reading themselves.  Keep it up as long as they will have it.

8. Choose books that you love and find inspiring.  There is nothing that will stop you reading with your child faster than dreading the next dull page.  Here are my favourites inspiring reads:

Augustus and his smile - this is a story about a tiger who has lost his smile.  The sentiment is broadly that life is there to be enjoyed and that you need to get out there and dive into life to get the most out of it and be happy.

Stone Soup - this is a beautiful book which tells a story of a community without any food making some soup.  The moral is about pulling together and all contributing something for the greater good.  The kids LOVE this one as it is told in such an enchanting way with lovely pics.

Tusk Tusk -This is a classic story about prejudice and conflict, more applicable now than ever.  It tells the story of black andwhite elephants and how they fought because they didn’t like the others.  Until one day some baby grey elephants came along.

Please let us know if you have anymore book suggestions we can add to the list.