The funding includes £18m for the government's Bookstart programme, which will provide around 12 million books for children aged three and under. The books will be given out through GP surgeries, libraries and children's nurseries, including Sure Start children's centres.
Balls said: "The support given to children and families during those all important early years can have a lasting impact on a child's development. Children can reap the benefits for many years if parents, carers and early years professionals encourage a love of books and reading at an early age."
Children's charity Booktrust will continue to deliver the programme, which has been running since 1992. The Bookstart programme is sponsored by 25 children's book publishers, which add £4 of sponsorship for every £1 of government money.
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