BookTrust is dedicated to encouraging families of all cultures to engage with books. We want to ensure that every child has access to books and the opportunity to enjoy reading.
We offer dual-language (DL) books and guidance to families that have English as an additional language (EAL), so that they can access the books and resources to support realising the benefits of reading.
Bookstart baby packs are designed to help families start reading together from a baby’s earliest days because we know the earlier families start the more children benefit in the long-term.
Research recommends that families talk and share books in their home language as well as in English. It has been shown that EAL children have better thinking and reasoning skills as they need to be more flexible in understanding language.
Offering DL books as part of the Bookstart programme is a great way to introduce sharing books to parents and carers who may not feel confident in doing so entirely in English. It also gives practitioners the opportunity to signpost where parents will be able to find more DL titles, such as at their local library.
Books gifted may differ from those shown above
Our Bookstart programme offers a limited number of DL books in over 30 community languages in partnership with the publisher Mantra Lingua, which can be added to Bookstart Baby, Early Years, Toddler and Pre-schooler packs.
In addition, BookTrust also provides free parental guidance translated into 20 languages.
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.
If you would like to gift DL books to families you work with, please get in touch with the Bookstart Coordinator in your local authority. If you require more information, please email [email protected]. Please note that Bookstart Coordinators only have a limited number of DL books available due to funding.
If you are a partner delivering Bookstart Baby, Early Years, Toddler or Pre-schooler and would like to purchase additional copies over and above your standard allocation, please email [email protected] to receive a generous discount from Mantra Lingua.
Use the Bookfinder to find the perfect books for a baby’s earliest days. You can use our special tools to search hundreds of children’s book reviews by age, category and theme.
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