Bookstart
Bookstart is a scheme run as a partnership between Sandwell Libraries, Sandwell Healthcare Trust and The Early Years Development Childcare Partnership.
Bookstart in Sandwell
Free books for children aged 0-4 years
Bookstart offers three free packs of books and guidance material to give children a lifelong love of books.
Sandwell Library and Information Service co-ordinates the scheme for Sandwell.
Pack 1
Packs are given out when your child is between 6-12 months old. Your Health Visitor will normally issue you with the pack, however, if you are unable to get your pack from the Health Visitor, please contact your local library or children's centre, so that we can arrange for you to collect a pack.
Pack 2
Packs are given out when your child is between 18-30 months old. Your Health Visitor will normally issue you with the pack, however if you are unable to get your pack from your Health Visitor, please contact you rlocal library or children's centre, so that we can arrange for you to collect a pack.
Pack 3
The third pack, My Bookstart Treasure Chest, is given out to children at their School Nursery or equivalent pre-school setting. Any eligible child who does not attend a pre-school group can obtain a pack through their local library.
Library membership
Pack 1 includes an invitation to join the library - babies are never too young to join the library.
Library events for parents/carers of under 5’s
- Toy Library Stay and Play sessions, which include a Bookstart rhyme time and free toy loans
- Story times
What’s in the Bookstart packs?
Bookstart pack 1 for babies aged 6-12 months
Contains: 2 books, rhyme booklet, Children’s book leaflet, information booklet, ‘Babies love Books’ leaflet, Surestart leaflet, Bookstart book list, invitation to join the library. (Please note that the books included in the pack may change)
Bookstart Pack 2 for toddlers aged 18 – 30 months
Contains: 2 books, drawing pad, crayons, number chart, book list, book labels and Bookstart information booklet.
My Treasure Chest contains: 2 books, a treasure chest book of ideas, book recommendations leaflet, drawing pad, coloured pencils, pencil sharpener and book labels.
(Dual language books on request. Please note that the books included may change.)
Bookstart is administered by Booktrust. It is sponsored by 25 children’s publishers and receives central funding from Surestart. For further information about Bookstart visit www.bookstart.org.uk or phone 0280 516 2995