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Supporting Parents, Carers and Families

We support parents, carers and families to get reading with their children from their earliest days because sharing stories together regularly, in the early years and beyond, has transformative and lifechanging benefits.

A toddler is choosing books in the library with her dad, she's smiling and waving her hand in the air while she looks at a book and he is smiling at her.

Sharing Books and Stories

Fitting in some time together to share a story or book with your child can: 

  • help your child learn words and express themselves.
  • help them feel close and connected to you
  • teach them about the world and about different kinds of people.
  • be relaxing and help your child learn to regulate their feelings. 
  • spark their imagination and creativity that you might see in their pretend play and the stories they make up! 

You don’t have to read a book cover to cover, get all the words right or even read them at all (you can just talk about the pictures!) to experience these benefits. 

We’re here to help

  • If you would like to find brilliant book ideas for your child’s age and stage check out  Bookfinder 
  • If you aren’t sure how to get and keep your child interested in books and stories we have some tips here: Reading together at home
  • If you want to find some activities to do around stories and reading to extend the fun, also check out have fun at home

Tell us what you think

If you’ve received one of our Bookstart Baby or Toddler packs, don’t forget to fill in our short feedback survey for your chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher!

Complete the survey

Programmes and Support

  • Bookstart Baby

    Every child in England, Wales and Northern Ireland aged 0 to 12 months is eligible for our free book pack, designed to help families to read and share stories with their child from as early as possible.

  • Two professionals reading to a young child.

    BookTrust Storytime

    BookTrust Storytime is an exciting library experience for families, offering a fun, free, and easy way to entertain under 5s at local libraries.

  • The Bookstart toddler pack laid out on a table.

    Bookstart Toddler, Pre-schooler/Nursery

    Our Bookstart Toddler and Pre-schooler/Nursery programmes for children are designed to support families to read and share stories together.

  • Have fun at home

    Looking for something fun as a family? Enjoy storytime with our free online books and videos, play games, win prizes, or even learn how to draw some of your favourite characters.

  • A girl sitting on the floor looking at a book

    Bookfinder

    Search thousands of hand-picked book recommendations to find a child’s next favourite read – from astonishing adventures to fantastic facts, our Bookfinder tool will help you discover the very best kids’ books

  • The front covers of The Final Year, The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks, The Cheat Book, I Am Too Absolutely Small for School, The Wrong Shoes, and Moving Up

    Our book recommendations

    Looking for a great book on a theme? Our booklists can help you discover some brilliant children’s books that little ones will love

Helpful Resources

Donate Today!

Make a donation to BookTrust to help transform lives by getting children reading

Donate Today