Tots

Find out what Suffolk libraries has to offer for babies, toddlers, young children and their parents.

About Bookstart

Bookstart 20 — Bookstart is 20 years old! See what they are doing.

Bookstart activities in Suffolk - find what is on offer near you

Bookstart a gift for life - national web site

Join the Bookstart Bear Club

Baby reading book Bookstart is the national programme that offers the gift of free books to all children at two key ages before they start school, and promotes rhyme sessions in libraries.

Image of the Bookstart packs.

The Bookstart Baby packs for babies are available from Health Visiting Teams, Libraries and Children’s Centres


The Bookstart packs for 3 year olds are supplied via pre-school settings, the term after the child’s third birthday.

If your child is three betweenthey can get their Bookstart Treasure
1 September and 31 December after 1 January
1 January and 31 March after 1 April
1 April and 31 August after 1 September

Bookstart Information for providers  (PDF, 29,kb)

Childcare providers please note: Bookstart Treasure Chests are being replaced with a new Bookstart Treasure pack in January 2012. During this change-over period, there is a national shortage of packs, so the Autumn Term 2011 delivery to childcare settings has been postponed until Spring 2012. If you have any further queries, please contact Adrian Buxton from the Early Years and Childcare Service on: 01473 264680.

Booktouch pack

If your young child has a severe visual impairment please contact our Bookstart co-ordinator, so you can receive a special Booktouch pack

Bookshine pack If your young child has a severe hearing impairment please contact our Bookstart co-ordinatior, so you can receive a special Bookshine pack.

Baby reading bookSuffolk Libraries run Bookstart activities for young children such as Babybounce, Tot Rock and Story time.

BookstartBearClublogo150100

Join the Bookstart Bear Club, a fun and engaging, free online membership club for all babies, toddlers and preschoolers and their families

Baby library card
Bookstart Parents Find information and resources for parents, blogs by parents and the Bookstart Bear and much more here.

Babies can join the library from the day they are born.

Fun sites for tots:

Other resources: