About the Bookstart scheme

Bookstart is a scheme run by the BookTrust that gives free packs of books to children in England and Wales.

Every child younger than 12 months in England and Wales is entitled to a free pack of books through the Bookstart scheme. These packs contain everything you need to start sharing stories, rhymes and songs with your child.

Bookstart aims to:

  • encourage mums, dads and carers to get babies and pre-school children into books early
  • inspire and create a love of reading that will give children a flying start in life

In addition to cater to babies, Bookstart also offers:

  • toddler and pre-school book packs for children from families on a low income
  • books that are made for children with additional needs, such as those with difficulties around sight, hearing or fine motor skills
  • dual-language books for children that have English as an additional language

Stockport Libraries partners with BookTrust to deliver the Bookstart programme in Stockport.