Booktime
This programme is no longer running.
Booktime launched in 2005, was a national programme promoting reading for pleasure and encouraging families to read together at an important transition stage in children's learning and development.
The programme provided a free book pack to every Reception-aged child in England and Wales (aged 4-5 years), with guidance for parents and carers on shared reading. Each year more than 700,000 children aged 4-5 in England and Wales received a free Booktime book pack to keep. Every pack contained two free books, along with additional copies for teachers and librarians, aiming to inspire a lifelong love of reading by encouraging families to have fun reading together.
In 2013 Booktime celebrated giving it's 10 millionth book
The BookTime programme was replaced in 2016 by Time to Read
Books can change lives
Our programmes
Find out more about how we support families and practitioners to get children reading for fun.
Resources to use
Find out about our resources
From fun lesson plans to posters for your children's centre, find out more and search for resources which are right for you.
Books we love
Our favourite books this month
Every month, we review new children's books - and here are the ones we like best of all at the moment.