Bookstart is a national programme which gives free books to all babies and young children at three years old.
Each pack contains two books, information about sharing books with your child and library information. You can see what is available below.
| Pack |
Age group |
Where to get it |
| Bookstart Baby pack |
up to 12 months |
Ask your health visitor |
| My Bookstart Treasure |
36-47 months |
Ask your pre-school, nursery or library |
| Bookshine |
0 to 4 years - for children who are deaf |
Ask your pre-school, nursery or library |
| Booktouch |
0 to 4 years – for children who are blind and partially sighted |
Ask your pre-school, nursery or library |
If you speak English as a second language, you can ask for dual language books.
Bookstart for babies 0-12 months
Packs are usually given out to babies at around seven to nine months by the health visitor. If you didn't receive a pack, ask at your local library. Remember to take your health record book along with you.
The Bookstart Baby canvas bag contains:
- two board books
- a nursery rhyme place mat
- a booklet with information and advice on sharing stories with young children
- a booklist and an invitation to join the local library.
Bookstart Treasure for pre-schoolers 36-48 months
Most children will receive their Bookstart Treasure through their early years group, that is, their pre-school playgroup or nursery. If your child doesn't attend such a group, you can pick up a pack at a library. Remember to take your health record book along with you.
The Treasure Box with a secret compartment contains:
- two picture books
- coloured pencils
- My First Marks booklet
- a book guide
- A Book of Ideas – tips for sharing books
- a booklist and guidance leaflet
- invitation to join the local library.
Bookshine
Books and reading guidance for hearing impaired children aged up to four.
Packs contain two specially chosen books designed to stimulate children's senses.
The cotton shoulder bag contains:
- two books
- a book guide and advice about sharing books with hearing impaired children
- nursery rhyme place mat.
Booktouch - for visually impaired children up to four
Booktouch packs are free to parents or carers of visually impaired children up to the age of four. The cotton shoulder bag contains:
- two touch and feel books
- booklet of advice about sharing books with blind and partially sighted children
- guide listing lots more great books
- leaflet listing useful services related to reading
- Rhymetime CD and book.
More information
Rhymetimes
Bookstart Rhymetimes are activities for babies, toddlers and their parents. Find out what's going on in Oxfordshire.
Click here to use Read Aloud by Insipio. Page reloads with controls for text to speech.
Click to go to the Easy read section. Note: this section doesn't have this menu. Use the back button or click the Oxfordshire County Council logo link in the header to return.
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