Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation provided $97,000 to introduce the program in seven different schools across the state.

Students from kindergarten to year three received three books each to keep and read at home, which were presented at Cessnock Public School last Monday.

The books were selected by the students from a catalogue of 48, ranging in difficulty depending on the child’s reading level.

All of the books were also placed in the school’s library prior to the children choosing, so they could touch and read the books before they made their decision.

The program goes for three out of four terms, meaning the students will end up with nine books of their own.

Books in Homes Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that has provided two million books to more than 22,000 disadvantaged children throughout Australia, with a particular focus on remote and low socio-economic communities.

Books in Homes Australia chairman Brett Kingston said the program is a great way to introduce reading to children outside of school, with statistics showing a 38 per cent improvement in literacy in children who begin reading at home.

“A lot of those kids don’t have any books at home,” he said.

“This program makes a difference.”

Mr. Kingston said it is fantastic for Cessnock Public School to have received the grant from the charitable foundation.

“We rely a lot on sponsorship,” he said.

“Clearly the Cessnock kids are fabulously gifted by the donation from Newcastle Permanent.”

Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation chairman Michael Slater said the program is extremely worthwhile and something they were passionate about supporting. 

“Every child, regardless of their social or economic background, has the capability and right to learn to read,” he said.

“If they can’t read and they don’t like reading, they’re behind the eight-ball.”

Cessnock Public School assistant principal Steven Morgan said the school was very thankful to Newcastle Permanent for the kids being able to enjoy quality literature at home.

“Reading is one of those lifelong skills,” he said.

“It’s a fantastic program; they’re really engaging books and the kids love them.”