Bookstart reading scheme

Bookstart is the national programme that aims to provide free packs of books for all babies. Each pack contains free books to share with your child, as well as helpful advice and other fun resources.

This is how the scheme works in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

Bookstart Baby Pack

For babies aged 0 to 12 months.

In Richmond these are given by the Health Visitor Team, Children's Centres, Registry Offices and Public Libraries during the baby's first year.

If you have not received a Baby Pack for your baby, please visit your local library and request one.

The Bookstart Baby Pack contains:

• One board book - perfect to enjoy with your baby
• One colourful finger puppet
• A leaflet with tips on sharing rhymes and stories with babies from an early age

BookTrust Pre-schooler

Through BookTrust, Richmond Libraries are gifting free books and resources to families in financial need. Bookstart Pre-schooler are new book packs designed to make reading a fun and rewarding activity to enjoy as a family!

Each pack contains two books, along with activities and games to bring the book to life.

If your nursery would like some of these free packs to gift to pupils, get in touch with us at libraries@richmond.gov.uk.

Additional needs packs

We also have Bookstart packs for children with additional needs:

• Bookshine for children who are deaf
• Booktouch for children who are blind or partially sighted
• Bookstart Star for children with conditions affecting their fine motor skills

See the BookTrust website for more information about additional needs packs. To request these packs, email libraries@richmond.gov.uk.

Find out more

Visit the Bookstart website for more information.

If you have any queries about how the scheme works in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, contact the Children and Communities Team by email at libraries@richmond.gov.uk.