Free Books for Preschoolers: How to Get Them Delivered to Your Door in the UK

When it comes to free books for preschoolers, physical books given to young children at no cost through government or charity programs. Also known as early literacy giveaways, these books are more than just paper and ink—they’re the first step in building a lifelong love of reading. In the UK, this isn’t a wishful idea. It’s a real, widely available service backed by national literacy efforts and local libraries.

These books aren’t random handouts. They’re carefully chosen by educators and child development experts to match a preschooler’s growing brain. Bookstart, a UK-wide program that gives free book packs to children under five is the most common way families get started. Many parents don’t even know they qualify—every child in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland is eligible, usually through their health visitor or local library. The books often come with a parent guide, too, so you’re not left guessing how to make reading time stick.

Then there’s the National Literacy Trust’s Book Club, a free mail-order service that sends new books to children’s homes every few months. No sign-up fees, no hidden strings. You just need to be a UK resident with a child under five. These aren’t old donations or clearance stock—they’re fresh, colorful titles designed to hold a toddler’s attention. You’ll get board books with textures, lift-the-flap stories, and rhymes that help with speech development.

Some local councils even team up with libraries to send out themed book boxes—think seasonal stories, bilingual titles, or books about emotions and routines. These aren’t just for kids who struggle. They’re for every child, whether they’re already saying full sentences or just starting to babble. The goal? To make reading feel normal, joyful, and part of daily life, not a chore or a reward.

And it works. Studies show kids who get free books early are more likely to start reading on their own, have bigger vocabularies by age three, and feel more confident in school later on. It’s not magic. It’s simple: regular exposure to stories, in a child’s hands, at the right time.

So if you’re wondering where to find these books, you don’t need to shop. You don’t need to wait for a sale. You just need to reach out—your health visitor, your local library, or the National Literacy Trust’s website. Most of these programs send books automatically once you’re registered, so you won’t even have to remember to ask.

What you’ll find below are real guides from parents who’ve used these programs, tips on how to pick the best books for your child’s stage, and answers to the questions no one tells you: What if my child just chews the pages? What if they only want the same book ten times in a row? What if I don’t have time to read every night? The posts here aren’t about perfection. They’re about what actually works in messy, tired, beautiful real life—with little ones who still think books are for hugging first, and reading second.