BookTrust chooses 123 Splosh and Max The Brave for its latest free book giveaway

Thousands of Kent children will begin receiving free books this week in a charity's latest giveaway.

BookTrust, the UK's largest reading charity, will begin distributing thousands of free stories to children aged four and under as part of its Bookstart reading packs.

Bookstart Baby packs are given to babies aged 0 to 12 months while Bookstart Treasure Packs are for children aged three and four.

Both packs are gifted by BookTrust through local councils via a network of health visitors and other professionals. While children aged three to four are most likely to be given their pack through their nursery, children's centre of early years setting.

Each pack is designed to help youngsters and their families begin a reading journey that will hopefully lead to a lifelong love of books.

David Melling’s adorable 123 Splosh has been chosen for the Bookstart Baby pack, whilst the bold and colourful Max the Brave by Ed Vere, has been selected for the treasure pack.

Each child in the relevant age group who receives a pack will get their very own copy of one of these books to keep, along with information for families about how to best share books and stories.

Ed Vere, author and illustrator of Max the Brave, said: "Introducing books to children at an early age like this is exactly what we have to do.

"If we’re going to encourage children to read, which we must because it’s so important, then we have to do it with good books and I’m thrilled that Max is considered a good book. Thank you BookTrust.”

To learn more about the work of BookTrust and the free packs available visit the charity's website.