Who we are Help for families Get involved Parentline Donate Home Get involved Give Books The Imagination Library Reading is a building block for life. But there are thousands of young children across Scotland who miss out because they do not own books. Inspire a love of reading by providing funding for free books every month to children from their birth to the age of five. Your gift will make a difference to the children and families we work alongside, providing practical and emotional support and encouraging a love of reading in young children through our partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Give a regular gift A monthly gift of £10 will spread the joy of reading to more children across Scotland. Read more Read more Give a single donation Donate now Donate now Nicola Sturgeon Reads Mabel and The Mountain by Kim Hillyard Tom Urie reads Mr Big by Ed Vere Katy Johnston reads Otto the Book Bear by Katie Cleminson Sanjeev Kohli reads Billy and the Beast by Nadia Shireen Michelle McManus reads Jonathan the Magic Pony by Stuart Heritage and Nicola Slater Eddi Reader reads Super Duper You by Sophy Henn Gordon Smith reads Shark in the Park by Nick Sharratt Reading is an essential building block for life Up to the age of three, a child’s brain will make connections faster than it ever will again. The experiences and learning during these first few years create the connections, whether it’s love, fear, joy or sadness – these early experiences will have effects that last for the rest of their life. It can have a positive impact on their ability to learn and succeed in life. Reading helps a child’s brain develop. It improves their vocabulary and they begin to understand that a book tells a story. Spending precious time reading with their parent or carer increase a child’s communication and language skills and build nurturing relationships. Thousands of children across the UK do not own a book according to the Literacy Trust. Up to 50% of children in disadvantaged areas start school without the language skills they need to progress. Those language skills are the building blocks they need for their future. Inspire a child’s imagination By supporting this book gifting programme through our partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library you’ll inspire a love of reading in the hearts of children across the country. Every month, children from birth to age five will receive a high quality, age appropriate book in the post, free of charge to them. Each book becomes a precious gift addressed to the child and adds another book to what will become their own special library. You can choose to help us provide a book for four children this month by donating £10. If you choose to give £30 you will be helping to give a child a book every month for a whole year. Or you can choose to support us to provide a book for a child every month from birth to age 5 by donating £150. Your support will ensure children receive the support they need while they nurture a love of reading with their families. Give the love of reading to a child in Scotland today. Children 1st 83 Whitehouse Loan Edinburgh EH9 1AT T: 0131 446 2300 F: 0131 446 2339 Registered Scottish charity number: SC 016092 Children 1st | © 2021 Contact details Contact us Where we work Historical records Jobs Publications For supporters Where your money goes What you can expect from us Our Fundraising Guarantee to you Gift Aid your donations Website details Terms and conditions Privacy policy Cookies Accessibility policy Legal statement Sitemap