Free books for under fives – Bookstart
Latest: Have fun in the school holiday with our summer reading challenge and exciting children's events in libraries – take part in Team Read 2008.
Bookstart is a national scheme offering free books to children under five-years-old and advice to their parents on sharing books with children from a very early age.
Book Crawl rewards under fives with stickers and a certificate for borrowing books. Download your Book Crawl card and booklist.
Babies
Babies aged 0–12 months have been getting free books from their health visitors for several years. Find out how to get your Bookstart pack.
Toddlers
Toddlers aged 18–30 months can also get free books from their health visitor or local library. Find out how to get your Bookstart+ pack.
Three and four year olds
Children aged 36–48 months receive a treasure box of books at their nursery, playgroup or pre-school. If your child doesn’t go to pre-school, collect your pack at your local library. Find out how to get your Bookstart Treasure Chest.
Books in other languages
Families can ask for their packs to include books written in English and a second language. Find out how to get books in other languages.
Packs for visually impaired children
A free Book Touch pack is available to parents or carers of blind or partially sighted children up to four-years-old. Find out how to get your Book Touch pack.
Sharing books with your child
Babies and toddlers love books. They are soothed by the sound of your voice, have your undivided attention and enjoy being held and cuddled.
By sharing books at a young age, children will learn to listen, concentrate, use imagination, develop language skills and learn about themselves and the world around them.
Read our suggestions for sharing books with your child.
Why not join the library?
Don’t worry about babies and young children being noisy or chewing books in libraries. There are no charges for late, lost or damaged books for under eights with an Elmer the Elephant library card.
