BookTrust's Bookstart programme supports parents to enjoy books with their child from an early age. Bookstart gifts free book packs to babies and preschoolers. Cambridgeshire Libraries, together with Health, Sensory Support and Early Years partners, are responsible for delivering the programme across the county.
If your child misses out on their book pack, we can order one for you. Please ask at your local library or email bookstart@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.
More information about the Bookstart programme - BookTrust website.
Bookstart Baby Pack
All babies should receive a Bookstart Baby Pack within their first year. It will usually be gifted by your health visitor at your baby’s 6 to 12 week health check.
Books for children with an additional home language
If your child attends an Early Years Setting, they can order dual language books in a variety of languages for their children in families who speak little or no English.
Our libraries also have collections of stories in other languages that can be borrowed. Please see Stories in Other Languages page.
Packs for children with additional needs
- BookShine packs are for deaf children.
- BookTouch packs are for vision impaired children. These are gifted by the Sensory Support Service when the child is the appropriate age - Baby pack (0-2 years) and Toddler pack (3-5 years).
- Bookstart Star pack is for children who have delayed development of fine motor skills.
It is gifted by the Healthy Child Programme’s Additional Needs and Disability Team.
BookTrust Early Years Targeted Offer
The Bookstart Toddler (1-2 years) and Preschooler (3-4 years) packs are for families who have an Early Help Assessment or are eligible for Funded 2's support but do not have access to the Early Years provision.
They are gifted by the Child and Family Centres.
More information on Bookstart toddler and pre-schooler packs - BookTrust website.
