To mark the big birthday, Essex Libraries are lending their support to the campaign which is asking parents and carers to pledge to share 20 books a year with their children. 

County Councillor Jeremy Lucas, Cabinet Member for Environment and Culture, said: “Congratulations to Bookstart on reaching its 20 year milestone, it is doing a great job to encourage family reading. Essex Libraries is ideally placed to support this anniversary pledge with a massive selection of children’s books available for loan in every library. I hope to see as many families as possible get on board.”

Library visitors can pick up a pledge postcard from their local Essex Library or make a pledge online.

To help families choose which books to read Essex Libraries is launching a children’s playlist of recommendations on its YouTube channel on Thursday 23 February in line with the anniversary pledge. Further reading ideas are also available on the Essex Libraries children’s page.