Bookstart for families

Sharing books, stories and rhymes with your child from an early age can help create a lifelong reader. Bookstart is here to guide you on your child’s reading journey from 0-5 years.

Every child in England and Wales is entitled to a free Bookstart pack before they are 12 months old and again aged 3-4 years (27 months in Wales). Bookstart also gifts additional needs packs for babies and toddlers, as well as black-and-white booklets for newborns and dual language books.

Find out how you can get your packs and explore our website. You'll find amazing pages for all the family, including interactive storybooks, themed booklists, a bookfinder to give you inspiration, activities to make and do at home and much more.

Happy reading, singing and rhyming together.

Our pick of the best new books for 0-5s

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

Find out about free Bookstart packs for children aged 0-12 months and 3-4 years, plus additional needs packs, newborn packs and more...

Bird Boogie fun at Belfast's Window on Wildlife

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.

Ore Oduba peeking over A Busy Day for Birds

National Bookstart Week 2018: Bookstart Bird Boogie

The dancing may be done, but the fun just carries on. With our crafts, rhymes and storytimes, your Bird Boogie can last all year long...

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.

Explore Bookstart for practitioners

Need to find your next story? Try our Bookfinder

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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.

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.

Best Books for 3-year-olds

At three, children can often follow slightly longer stories but they'll still want to hear their old favourites again and again. Here's a selection of perfect picture books for 3-year-olds.

Best Books for 5-year-olds

Five-year-olds might be starting to read on their own, but they'll still love a story. This list is packed with offbeat humour and brilliant characters. Perfect for keeping your child hooked on books.