Call for kids to read 1000 books before school

Story teller Andrew reads to Austin. Picture: Dennis Manktelow.

Whittlesea libraries are working on a program to spawn a new generation of bookworms.

Yarra Plenty Regional Library (YPRL), which runs the municipality’s libraries, is taking part in 1000 Books Before School – a statewide program aimed to promote early literacy skills and combating adult illiteracy.

The program encourages parents to read 1000 books with their children from their births until they start school.

YPRL chief executive Di Shaw said reading for just 10 minutes a day can make a difference to a child’s vocabulary and literacy skills.

“The more a child is read to in their pre-school years, the better prepared they are when they start to learn how to read and write,” she said.

“We encourage all families to join the program at Yarra Plenty Regional Library and begin their reading journey with their children … and have lots of fun doing it.”