Frequently asked questions
How are packs delivered?- Packs for babies and toddlers are usually given by health visitors and libraries. My Bookstart Treasure Chest is usually given at nurseries, at play groups or at your local library.
Each local authority decides when and where the packs are given out so you must ask your health visitor or at your library and they will tell you what to do in your area.
When you go to collect your pack remember to take your child's Health Record Book so it can be signed to say you have received your pack.
Remember, you have to collect your pack locally as we can not post them to you.
- Where does funding come from?
- It is a three-way partnership. Central funding in England comes from the DfES and DWP via the Sure Start Unit (the devolved administrations fund Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales). We have sponsorship support from a range of children’s book publishers and booksellers and Bookstart is delivered via libraries, health visitors and early years professionals who give the packs to the parents and carers.
- What are the benefits accrued from Booktrust being an independent charity?
- As a charity Booktrust does not make a profit so materials are sourced at very competitive prices and this keeps our costs very low. For instance, central funding from the taxpayer is only 25% of the retail cost of delivering Bookstart. This is thanks to our sponsors and to our charitable status.
- Are books sourced locally?
- Booktrust does not publish books. Publishers in the UK are invited to submit books for consideration of inclusion in the packs. These books are produced in a number of countries. Bookstart packs contain a number of printed items eg guidance books, book plate stickers and number friezes - all of these components are produced in the UK.
- How are the books chosen?
- There is a Bookstart book panel made up of book experts librarians, health visitors and early years professionals.
- How many publishers are involved and how are they chosen?
- All publishers, however small, are invited to submit books for consideration. At the last panel we had books from 26 publishers.
- Are books available in other languages?
- Bookstart provides dual language books and guidance materials which are available in 26 languages.
- Does Bookstart offer anything in between the three packs?
- The three Bookstart packs all contain invitations to join the library and many libraries offer Bookstart Rhymetimes and the Bookstart Book Crawl. Babies just one day old can join a library! So if parents join their children to the library, there are plenty of opportunities and activities available to parents and children between the packs.
- I have received the Bookstart pack for my baby, but the book token was missing. Please advise how I can obtain one.
- The book token is available in the two additional packs not the first baby pack.
The Bookstart Plus for 18-month-olds, and My Bookstart Treasure Chest, aimed at three year-olds, are distributed via early years settings. - Please ask at your local library for further information.
- Are these book tokens accepted in all bookshops?
- Waterstones, Ottakars, Borders, Books Etc, WHSmith and Blackwells all accept the tokens, as do hundreds of independent shops.
Yes, the Bookstart packs are available to purchase as resources in your own home. The cost of each pack is:
£8 for Pack A and Booktouch
£10 for Bookstart+
£15 for Treasure Chest
£10 for Bookstart+
£15 for Treasure Chest
Please complete the Bookstart order form. All prices include VAT and pp.
Remember that if you're actually seeking packs for children in your care, please ask the local library or health visitors for them. As these packs are for the child, there is no charge.
