Bookstart for families

Sharing books, stories and rhymes with your child from an early age can help nurture a love of reading that is shown to have a lifelong and positive impact.

Bookstart is here to guide you on your child's reading journey from 0-5 years.

With Bookstart, BookTrust reaches over 90% of newborn babies and more than 400,000 toddlers and preschoolers in England and Wales each year. Bookstart is also available to children with additional needs and in dual languages.

Find out how you can get your packs and explore our website. You'll find interactive storybooks and games, themed booklists, a Bookfinder to give you inspiration, activities to make and do at home and much more.

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Bookstart - sharing stories and rhymes from 0-5

Bookstart Baby and dual-language books

Bookstart Baby packs are gifted free to all babies before they turn one. Free dual-language books are also available for families with English as an additional language.

Bookstart Family Hub

Welcome to the dedicated digital space for families with children aged 0-5.

Additional needs packs

Bookstart is for every child. Find out more about our free Bookstart Shine, Bookstart Touch and Bookstart Star additional needs packs.

What is Bookstart?

Bookstart is designed to help babies, toddlers and preschoolers discover the magic of shared reading from their earliest days. It encourages a love of books, stories and rhymes, giving children the chance to benefit from the life-changing positive impact of reading.

Rhymetimes

Enjoy songs, rhymes and rhythm with your child at your local library, nursery or children's centre - Rhymetimes are free and fun for everyone.

Do you work with children aged 0-5?

Visit our Bookstart for practitioners section for tailored information, guidance and resources to help you deliver our flagship early years programme.

Explore Bookstart for practitioners

Looking for your next story? Try our Bookfinder

  • Step 1: Choose an age/stage

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    Choose an age/stage
  • Step 2: Choose a type of book

    Choose a type of book

Get perfect picture book ideas

Our themed booklists are full of brilliant book ideas for little ones. Just print them out or jot them down and see what you can pick up at your local library.

Best books for 2-year-olds

Two-year-olds love joining in with actions and guessing what will happen next. We've picked out some brilliant books we think your child will love.

Best books for 3-year-olds

At three, children can often follow slightly longer stories but they'll still want to hear their old favourites again and again. Here's a selection of perfect picture books for 3-year-olds.

Best books for 4-year-olds

Why not try some of our favourite books for 4-year-olds - slightly longer stories they'll love chatting to you about. From bad bunnies to bug school, storytime giggles are guaranteed.

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