Toy manufacturer Lego has given BookTrust sets of their Duplo product to be given out alongside the charity’s Bookstart Treasure packs of books for three- to four-year-olds.
The Lego Duplo packs will contain building blocks used to create animal figures. The dual packs are being distributed to a limited number of families in the South of England as part of a pilot project with 30 selected local authorities.
Bookstart Treasure is BookTrust’s book gifting programme aimed at families with children aged between three and four years old.
Each year 680,000 packs of Treasure books and resources are distributed through local libraries, nurseries and children’s centres to support families with encouraging a love of reading in children.
Treasure is part of BookTrust’s flagship programme Bookstart, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
Diana Gerald, BookTrust chief executive, said, ‘There are many benefits of reading for pleasure including the development of children’s creativity and imagination, which is why we are delighted to help support this by offering families an additional resource in their Treasure packs.
‘Lego does fantastic work helping children play and learn new skills. We hope those families receiving their special Duplo product with their Treasure pack enjoy watching their child having fun and getting creative!’
Aliya Beissova, senior brand manager at Lego, said, ‘Lego is thrilled to be working with the UK's largest children's reading charity, BookTrust, to deliver our Duplo play experience to over 50,000 pre-school children.
‘It was a natural partnership and we recognise this initial trial activity as mutually beneficial for both organisations due to our common goals, which include aiding early childhood development, inspiring creativity and stimulating little imaginations.’
Emma Fisher, children and young people’s librarian at South Gloucestershire Libraries, one of the areas included in the pilot, added, ‘Working with pre-school teachers they were very impressed and thought how well the Lego Duplo went with the story Alan’s Big Scary Teeth. We are planning on doing an activity with the children during their class visit to the library next week using the story and Lego to explore different feelings.’
