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Wednesday 14th May

Press Release: Miscellaneous Announcements
Bookstart Launches New Book Pack For Deaf Children

Posted at 7:47AM Wednesday 27 Feb 2008

90 per cent of deaf children are born to hearing parents with little experience of deafness.

Bookstart recognises the importance of encouraging all parents and carers to enjoy books with children from as early an age as possible.

With this in mind, and to tie in with the National Year of Reading 2008 whose aim is to make reading accessible for all, Bookstart has produced a new pack called Bookshine which offers free books and information specifically designed to suit deaf children's needs.

The pack is aimed at parents of deaf children aged 0-5 years. It includes a touch and feel book and a book featuring simple British Sign Language (BSL) signs and an image of a child with a hearing aid as it is important that deaf children see themselves in books.

Booktrust already provides Booktouch packs for blind and partially sighted children. This pack has also now been revised and fully updated. The pack includes information and advice as well as two touch and feel books, ideal for stimulating children's sense of touch.

The RNIB estimates that there are 24,000 children (aged under 16) in England, Scotland and Wales whose severe sight problems affect their education

Around 800 babies born each year would be eligible for a Booktouch pack.

The Bookshine books and accompanying materials have been chosen in partnership with the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) and parents of deaf children. The Booktouch materials have been developed in partnership with the RNIB and parents of blind and partially sighted children.

Alex Strick, Bookstart Consultant explains:

"Bookstart is for every child. We are very proud to be expanding its existing Bookstart range by offering parents of deaf children a selection of specially chosen books and advice. Thanks to our partnerships with specialists such as the National Deaf Children's Society and the RNIB, we are confident that the new Bookshine pack and the revised Booktouch pack will provide many more families with the impetus and advice they need to help their children enjoy books from an early age."

Lorna Simpson, NDCS Development Manager, from NDCS explains:

"All babies and children should be given the opportunity to learn about the joys of reading. Bookshine, the Bookstart range specifically selected with the needs of deaf babies and children in mind is a wonderful collection. The books all have colourful illustrations and some have different textures to touch and feel. Deaf children often learn in a very visual way, so encouraging an interest in reading at an early age can be crucial in development."