Free Books for children under 4

donna1987

This seems to be one of those schemes that everyone is entitled to but nobody knows about! I've searched to see if its already on here, but cant find anything.

I was at my local mum & toddler group the other day and a nice lady from Surestart was telling mums about a nationwide scheme called Bookstart, that gives free book packs to children under 4.
She told me i should have got a voucher from our health visitor at my daughters 9 month check-up (shes now 14 months) but the HV has not said anything about it.
i had a look at their website and it turns out that they give out different packs at 9 months, 18 months and 36 months and they're really good! They've got books, crayons, and loads of other activity things in.
So if you haven't recieved anything ask your health visitor or take your childs health record book to your local library and they'll give you a pack.
The packs are really really good, you can see them on the bookstart website- follow the below link and click on 'bookstart packs'.
I hope this informs some more mums who never knew this scheme existed!

Bookstart Website

mykidsmum_2

i have had two packs so far from the baby clinic, and to echo what the pp said, go get them they are fab!!!!!

greenpixey

My health visitor gave me these pack when my children were 9 month and at the 2 year old check-up. I didn't know they had one at 36 month as well. Will ask my HV tomorrow. Thanks

astonsmummy

I too got one pack at DS 8 month check then one at his 2 year check, you get little bags too, we take his blue one to the library!

MissBehaving

DD got a lovely little box about a month ago through her nursery. Every full time child got one. There were pencils, books, colouring books the lot!

Very chuffed!

greenishfingers

In our local area you can get them all through the library now (I think that's to encourage library use!)

earthmother

Thanks for this - I'd almost forgotten about it

I missed out on these completely with DS1 - no-one though to tell us about the scheme until a week after his 4th birthday (and they wouldn't make an exception for him).

But, DS2 got pack 2, and has just turned 3 so I need to get pack 3 for him, and DS3 is coming up on 9 months, so I'll get his pack 1 at the same time

newmommyjen

Oh i have never heard of this, not word from health vistor. Is it availble in scotland too? I have been thinking of the cheapest way of getting books, other than going to the libaray. have been looking in my local charity shop. Picked up a couple for pennys, and still in good nick.

antiville

newmommyjen wrote:

Oh i have never heard of this, not word from health vistor. Is it availble in scotland too? I have been thinking of the cheapest way of getting books, other than going to the libaray. have been looking in my local charity shop. Picked up a couple for pennys, and still in good nick.

Hiya newmommyjen,

Yes this is available in Scotland, as I got the packs for my son and I've also had the 9 month one for my daughter, and next week she's got her 22-24 month check-up so I'll prob get the 2nd pack then. (I'm in Ayrshire in Scotland)

Hope this helps you x

the_optimist

What a brilliant idea! Wish they did that when my kids were young.
It's not much point asking for books for DD (21) and DS (19) then,eh? :rolleyes:

donna1987

the_optimist wrote:

What a brilliant idea! Wish they did that when my kids were young.
It's not much point asking for books for DD (21) and DS (19) then,eh? :rolleyes:

nah.. i think the library will suss that they're not under 4 . but make sure your dd and ds know about it when they have their own kids-it looks like only really good & on the ball health visitors actually tell you about it:rolleyes: (as you can probably tell-im not very impressed with our HV)