Bookstart in the UK is the first national books for babies/children programme in the world. As Bookstart partners we aim to provide every child in the UK with Bookstart packs of free books and other fun material. WF Libraries are committed to promoting the idea of early book sharing and seek to give every child the opportunity to develop a life long love of books.
Bookstart is based on a simple premise that children who have an early introduction to books benefit educationally, culturally socially and emotionally.
Libraries and our partners such as Clinics, Nurseries and Early years settings, are ideally place to ensure that the pleasure of book sharing draws children towards literacy through the love of stories, songs and rhymes and encourages parents to see themselves as their baby’s most enduring teacher.
Bookstart is a public – private partnership between central government and private sponsors and promoted and supplied through libraries.
It is delivered via three public services, Education, Health and Public Libraries.
Children are provided with three Bookstart packs:
- Bookstart packs for babies - Book start
- Bookstart for toddlers
- Bookstart Treasure Chest for 3 year olds
Libraries are at the forefront of this scheme and play a very proactive role in ensuring that all children under the age of 5 get the opportunity to receive their special pack and together with their parents / carers become life long members of libraries. We have made great headway in reaching children where they are and where they visit.
Contact us
For further information contact:
Waltham Forest Libraries
Silver Birch House
Uplands Business Park
Blackhorse Lane
Walthamstow E17 5SD
Tel 020 8496 3253
Fax 020 8496 3508
