The State Library has announced that its one millionth Better Beginnings reading pack has been given away.
In a statement the Library said the pack had been donated to the Cruthers family to help eight-week-old Blake Cruthers on his lifelong literacy journey.
“It may seem like an early introduction to books, but this milestone also marks another key date in Blake’s life journey at his eight-week health check with a community child health nurse,” the Library said.
“Families reading with their baby from birth improves literacy and learning and provides a positive start in life,” it said.
The Library said Baby Blake would receive another bag when he goes to kindergarten. Between now and then the family’s local public library was available to support Blake’s early learning with books and fun family activities.
Since 2004, the State Library has been delivering the award-winning Better Beginnings family literacy program with its important messages of reading stories, playing, talking and singing to children from birth.
“The program has grown from a small pilot with six Local Governments to Australia’s most extensive family literacy program, delivering packs to 97 per cent of Western Australian families through 139 Local Governments across the State,” the Library said.
“A key part of the program is the delivery of reading packs that contain an age appropriate book, information for parents about books and reading and an invitation to join the local public library,” it said.
