PARENTS and carers of Southampton toddlers will be voting for their favourite book to share in a special award scheme this summer.

Reading is a pleasure to be discovered as early as possible and there's no better way for a child to be introduced to the wonders of words than for their parent or carer to read with them. The right book can even be fun for the adult!

From the beginning of May, six children's books, which appeal to the under-fours, have been in city libraries and on the Bookbus for parents and carers to sit down and read with their children.

The shortlisted books are also available for organisations such as pre-schools, Sure Start centres and parent and toddler groups to borrow.

The scheme is being organised by Southampton City Council's family learning team and the library service to try and encourage more adults and children to read together.

Family Learning co-ordinator Lorraine Davison said: "This award celebrates the high standard and wide variety of children's books on offer while promoting the benefits of parents or carers and children reading together.

"We hope that by taking part in this project more families will discover the fun of reading."

Siobhan McGarrigle, commun-ity services librarian, added: "By encouraging more families to read together we also hope to introduce them to the many services which they can enjoy from their local library."

Voters have until the end of July to choose their favourite book and everybody who enters is in with a chance of winning book tokens worth £50. You can vote by filling in a voting form with the books in each of their locations.

The winning author/illustrator will be announced in the autumn and will be presented with their award during Family Learning Weekend in October.

The shortlisted boks are:

One Bear, One Dog by Paul Stickland: A big bear and his bouncy friends romp and rhyme their way through the pages of this book to the final surprise.

A Turtle in the Toilet by Jonathan Emmett and Caroline Jayne Church: A household of wild animals pop-up in the most unexpected places

Shark in the Park by Nick Sharratt: Is there really a shark in the park? Go on, be brave, open the book and see!

Hold Tight by John Prater: Grandbear and Baby Bear have lots of exciting rides but Grand-bear gives the best ride of all.

If You See a Kitten by John Butler: Come and meet lots of wonderful animals in this book, cuddly, dozy, scary and crotchety!

Emergency! by Margaret Mayo and Alex Ayliffe: It's all action in this noisy, busy book of emergency vehicles.