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. 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 interactive storybooks and games, themed booklists, a bookfinder to give you inspiration, activities to make and do at home and much more.

How did we do?

Share your feedback for the chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher

Take the survey

Bookstart - sharing stories and rhymes from 0-5

A Bookstart Baby pack including an envelope, a finger puppet, a guide for parents and carers and a copy of Who's Hiding on the Farm?

Bookstart Baby and dual-language books

Bookstart Baby packs are gifted free to all babies before they turn one. Free dual-language books are also available for families with English as an additional language.

Bookstart Family Hub

Welcome to the dedicated digital space for families with children aged 0-5.

Additional needs packs

Bookstart is for every child. Find out more about our free Bookstart Shine, Bookstart Touch and Bookstart Star additional needs packs.

Mother and son at a Big Welsh Rhyme Time event

Bookstart in Wales

Through Bookstart, BookTrust Cymru gives every child in Wales their own books to have at home and supports families to read together regularly.

Mum and smiling boy looking at library books

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.

Rhymetimes

Enjoy songs, rhymes and rhythm with your child at your local library, nursery or children's centre - Rhymetimes are free and fun for everyone.

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

Looking for your next story? Try our Bookfinder

Step 1: Choose an age/stage
- {{ selectedAgeGroup }}
Choose an age/stage
- {{ category.name }}
Step 2: Choose a type of book
Choose a type of book
- {{ childCategory.name }}

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.