Bookstart

Bookstart inspires a love of books and reading.

The national program Bookstart provides free books to all babies and young children.  Booktrust offers support for early language and literacy development.

Oxfordshire Libraries coordinates the delivery of the programme. By using local libraries as collection points.

Bookstart packs by age

Pack Age of child
Baby Up to 12 months
Shine 0 to 5 years - for children who are deaf
Touch 0 to 5 years – for children who are blind or partially sighted
Star 4 to 5 years – for children who have disabilities that impact/delay the development of motor skills

Bookstart for babies 0-12 months

Contact your local library to request Baby packs. 

Early years and health professionals must contact their Bookstart coordinator

Dual language books

Bookstart supplies dual-language books for children with English as their second language.

  • Board books are suitable for babies 0-12-month
  • Picture books are available in all languages and are suitable for children aged 2-4 years

Library Rhymetime events 

Many of our libraries offer Rhymetime activities. These events can  an important role in developing early language skills.

Find available Ryhmetimes sessions on our events calendar or contact your local library.