HELEN Turner hopes to spread the word that books are key to giving children the best start in life.
The new co-ordinator of Kirklees Bookstart, Helen is working to help parents and carers across Kirklees encourage their children to pick up a book and join the library.
Kirklees Bookstart is a branch of the national Bookstart scheme aimed at improving and supporting children's early literacy skills.
Helen is working with the scheme to provide all pre-school children with free book packs and introduce Bookstart story sessions to more libraries in Kirklees.
Kirklees Bookstart will be officially launched on April 5.
The scheme was set up in 1992, supported by the Government to give free board books to babies aged seven to nine months, and run in partnership with health visitors.
It was extended last year, providing further book packs to all two and three year olds, and has been joined by partner Kirklees Libraries.
The book packs are available from any local or mobile library and Information Centre in Kirklees.
From April, all libraries will run a Bookstart Book Crawl which gives stickers and certificates as rewards for their visits.
Helen said: "The libraries have been amazing and have welcomed the scheme with open arms.
"They have so much to offer pre-school children and the range of books is brilliant.
"With the help of Book Crawl, we hope that regular book borrowing will become a normal part of every child's routine."
