A book could be the start of everything this Christmas
Some children have a world of stories, but some have none at all. That’s why we’re delivering 18,000 festive book parcels to children who need them most. Please donate today.
Donate now to our Christmas appealHow we help
Our programmes and support are designed to help children and families start and continue reading and sharing stories, because we believe it should be a part of childhood for all. We work with thousands of local partners to support children in every community in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Bookstart Impact Report
Explore our Bookstart Impact Report for 2025/26 and find out how we are working in every community in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to get families with young children reading.
Read the full reportWhat we do
Each year we get millions of children reading, with our programmes, support and campaigns.
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Discover the joy of shared reading from birth. Explore our flagship early years programmes today.
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Join free and fun library story sessions for 0 to 5s. Make reading a magical part of family life.
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See how our research shapes real change. Learn what works to build lifelong reading habits.
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Inspire reading and numeracy for 3 to 13s in care. Discover the joy of books sent straight to them.
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Support your primary and secondary students' reading for pleasure. Sign up your school to Bookbuzz today.
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The Writer in Residence programme provides a platform for writers and illustrators to explore themes around children's books that they are passionate about, while also encouraging families to read and share books together.
Who we are
BookTrust is the UK's largest children's reading charity with a history that stretches back over 100 years. Our focus is on helping children in the key developmental years from birth to the first years of primary school. We do this because of the strong evidence base which shows that reading with children from the earliest age and establishing a regular reading habit impacts on a wide range of outcomes both in the short term and later in life.
Find out more about usIf I had never had the lady come over and give me the Bookstart stuff when my son was born, I wouldn't have known... he wouldn't have had that experience from such a young age and to be where he is now.
Mum, talking about receiving Bookstart Baby
Latest updates
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We’re delivering 18,000 book parcels this Christmas to children who need them most. But we need your help.
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Budget 2026: BookTrust welcomes funding for early years reading
28 October 2026
In the Budget, Chancellor John Healey MP confirmed £15 million in funding for children's reading.
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BookTrust and Wandle English Hub have been working with schools and families to understand how best to support Reception-aged children (4–5) to develop a love of reading.
Donate this Christmas
We know that reading changes everything. That’s why we’re delivering 18,000 festive book parcels to children who need them most this Christmas.
Donate to BookTrust today