Bookstart - free books for babies

Bookstart is a national programme that encourages parents to share and enjoy books with their children, from as early an age as possible.

It aims to provide a free pack of books and information to every baby in the UK, to inspire, stimulate and create a love of reading that will give them a flying start in life. Two further packs are then gifted to children aged 15-35 months and to pre-school children aged 3-4 years.

Baby pack

Your Health Visitor will give you your pack at the development check between 8 and 12 months. If your child has had their check and did not receive one, you can pick one up at your local library. Please take your child’s red health record book with you.

Bookstart+ pack

You can collect this pack from any Bristol public library when your child is between 15 and 35 months old. Please take your child’s red Health Record book with you.

My Bookstart Treasure Chest

Children receive this pack from their preschool or nursery when they are three or four years old. If your child hasn’t received a pack or doesn’t attend a preschool or nursery, ask at your nearest library. Please take your child’s red Health Record book with you.

Booktouch packs

Special packs are available for children with a visual impairment. Please ask your Health Visitor, Vision Support Teacher or the Bookstart Co-ordinator (details below) for further information.

Bookstart activities

All Bristol libraries run Bookstart related activities, which support and encourage using books and rhymes with babies and toddlers, in a fun and relaxed environment. You may enjoy:

Visit the National Bookstart website or You. Baby. Book. Magic. website for lots more information about Bookstart.

The information above applies to the Bristol Authority area. Neighbouring authorities opearte Bookstart but some details may be different. If you are unsure contact your local library or the Bookstart Coordinator.

Bristol Bookstart Co-ordinator
Tel: 0117 377 2718
Email: bookstart@bristol.gov.uk