What is Bookstart?

Bookstart is designed to help babies, toddlers and preschoolers discover the magic of shared reading from their earliest days.

It encourages a love of books, stories and rhymes, giving children the chance to benefit from the life-changing positive impact of reading.

Each Bookstart package contains books, materials and activities that support shared reading with young children at different stages as part of our early years reading journey.

It is delivered in person to families by health, library and early years professionals and practitioners who support parents and carers, ensuring that every eligible child receives their package.

The programme is funded by Arts Council England and the Welsh Government, as well as BookTrust's partners and donors.

Bookstart was the world's first national bookgifting programme, established in 1992 and run by BookTrust.