Bookbug takes over from Bookstart in Scotland

Scottish Book Trust's Early Years Programme (formerly known as Bookstart in Scotland) was relaunched as Bookbug on 30 June. Well-known Scottish illustrator Debi Gliori created the new Bookbug mascot (find out how she went about it on the Scottish Book Trust website).

The core format of the programme will stay the same, but there are a number of changes including:

• bespoke gift packs for Scotland featuring more Scottish authors and illustrators and linking in to Scottish education and parenting strategies;
• improved logistics using a Scottish company Spring Distribution to deliver to local authorities and the NHS
• a greener and more ethical programme (fair-trade canvas bags, improved delivery)

Books for Keeps

We've held Books for Keeps in the Library for years. Now you can access it online from http://www.booksforkeeps.co.uk/ - see the whole of the current issue and archived material from previous editions. Books for Keeps was launched in 1980 and has over 12,500 reviews on the website and more than 2,000 articles including interviews with the top children’s authors and illustrators. July 2010's edition includes articles on: nursery rhymes; Beverly Naidoo (whose Journey to Jo'burg is now 25 years old); animator / illustrator Leigh Hodgkinson; Rick Riordan (author of the recently filmed  Percy Jackson: The Lightening Thief); and Tom Sawyer (Classics in Short). Plus all the usual news and reviews.