About Bookstart
What is Bookstart?
Bookstart is the world’s first national bookgifting programme, giving free books to all children in England and Wales at two key ages before school.
What Bookstart can offer you
Discover more about Bookstart's free universal, additional needs and newborn packs for children, plus The Rhyme Challenge and Rhymetimes.
Bookstart in Northern Ireland
Find out about Arts Council NI Author Tours and catch up with the latest news from Bookstart Northern Ireland.
Bookstart in Wales
Through Bookstart, BookTrust Cymru give every child in Wales their own books to have at home and supports families to read together regularly.
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.
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.
Classic Christmas books for festive times
One of the loveliest things to do at Christmas is cuddle up and enjoy a good picture book together – and these classic stories have really stood the test of time.
Best bedtime books for newborns (0-2 months)
We know that reading with your newborn baby at bedtime can be lots of fun. It's also a special time for snuggling up and sharing a story: it's important bonding time.
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.