What is Bookstart
Bookstart is built on a simple premise - babies who have an early introduction to books benefit in lots of ways, educationally, socially, culturally and emotionally.
Bookstart is administered by Booktrust, an independent Arts charity funded by the Arts Council England. Booktrust is the largest reading charity in the UK working to inspire a love of reading in children because we know reading can transform lives.
Bookstart Universal Packs
Your child will receive Bookstart packs at regular intervals -
Bookstart baby for babies 0-12 months
This pack is given to babies by Health Visitors at their 6–8 week check which takes place at home. Please ask your Health Visitor if it is not offered. The pack is contained within a purple and yellow bag with a short handle and zip.
The bag contains:
- 2 Board Books
- A double sided 'Time for a Rhyme' Sheet
- A 'Reading with your Child' months booklet with advice and suggestions for sharing books
Bookstart Treasure
This pack is for pre-school children aged 3-4 years. Given to children at their nursery setting/childminder in the year before they start school. The pack is contained in a blue envelope as shown in the image below.
The envelope contains:
- 1 picture book
- 'Reading with your Child' booklet with advice and suggestions for sharing books
Bookstart packs for children with additional needs
These packs can be ordered through your child’s health visitor or other health professional as well as their nursery, preschool or childminder.
Bookshine for children who are deaf or hearing impaired.
Bookshine Baby for ages 0-2 years contained in a purple and yellow bag with a short handle and zip. The bag contains:
2 books
A rhyme place mat (with baby signing)
Guidance on sharing books
Bookshine Toddler for ages 3-5 contained in a large colourful cardboard envelope. The envelope contains:
2 books
A rhyme place mat (with baby signing)
Bookmark showing British Sign Language
Guidance on sharing books.
Booktouch for children who are blind or partially sighted
Booktouch Baby for ages 0-2 years contained in a purple and yellow bag with a short handle and zip. The bag contains:
2 touch and feel books
Guidance on sharing books
Booktouch Toddler for ages 3-5 contained in a large colourful cardboard envelope. The envelope contains:
2 touch and feel books
Guidance on sharing books.
Bookstart Star for children aged 3-5 who have disabilities that impact on or delay the development of their fine motor skills contained in a large colourful cardboard envelope. The envelope contains:
Exclusive touch-and-feel book from Child's Play publishers
One board book
A finger puppet for playing along with the story
Guidance sheets
Bookstart Dual Language books
Bookstart offers dual language books in over 30 languages. These packs can be ordered through your child’s health visitor or other health professional as well as their nursery, preschool or childminder.
Bookstart in Libraries
The Bookstart Bear travels all over Cheshire attending Storytimes and events in libraries, look out for events near you.
You might want to join the Bookstart Bear Club or the Bear’s Reading Adventure. Click the image below to find your local library, where you can ask for more information.
Contacting Bookstart
Frances Lennon, Booktrust Coordinator
Telephone 01244 977554 / 07827 954086
Email: frances.lennon@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Wendy Hammond, Bookstart Administrator
Telephone: 07827 877966
Email: bookstart@cheshiresharedservices.gov.uk
Discover more about Bookstart and their website, by clicking the icon below.
