Spending just a few minutes a day showing your baby the black and white pictures and talking to them about what you see is a great way to connect. There’s no right or wrong way to share a story, and you can include this into your daily routine during bath time, feeds, tummy time or whenever works for you and your baby. What counts the most is time spent looking, talking, and connecting together.
Bookstart baby booklet for families
We hope you’re enjoying your Bookstart baby booklet. It’s never too early to start sharing stories with your baby – even before they’re born, they can hear your voice. Talking, singing, and looking at pictures together helps your baby’s brain grow and strengthens your bond.
Sing, rhyme and play together
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Use our videos and playlists to create your own rhyme time for your baby.
More books to share together
Unsure what to read next? We have a list of books that are perfect to share with your baby while cuddled up together.
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Best books for babies 0–12 months
Babies love snuggling up close with you and listening to your voice. Here’s our selection of fantastic books to try with your baby.
Bookstart Baby: the next step in your reading journey
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Families with babies up to 12 months in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are eligible for a free Bookstart Baby pack, with a bilingual pack offered in Wales. These packs are a great way to support early development and are provided through health visitors, libraries, registrars and many other partners working in the early years. Look out for your Bookstart Baby pack.
Join your local library
Local libraries are free to join and are a great way to continue sharing books together. Many run rhyme and BookTrust Storytime sessions where you can meet other parents and carers.
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Watch authors read the BookTrust Storytime books and find out how you can get involved with BookTrust Storytime fun at your local library.