How does it work?
Free delivery of books to your door
Return the books in your prepaid envelope, and we'll send you some more!
Feel the Reading Chest love
Read the latest feedback from the parents (and children!) learning to read with us!
See All FeedbackHeather O
June 29, 2024
We love reading chest, my daughter gets so excited to see another set of books has arrived and it's really helped her to excel in her reading. The concept is so simple, yet it makes my life easier and prevents the staleness of one reading book a week from school.
PW
June 27, 2024
Reading Chest made the difference for my son who really learnt faster than all his classmates thanks to the wide selection and frequent turnaround of getting six books twice a week which is the package we had. You won’t regret it!
How to find the right book band for your child!
Reading Chest has a vast selection of reading books, which are used in schools across the UK. These are carefully graded by reading levels known as book bands. Our simple guide will help you pick the right band for your child:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Level 7
Level 8
Level 9
Level 10
Level 11
Level 12-13
Pink Book Band
Level 1. Recommended reading age 4 - 5 years.
For children just starting to read. Children are getting used to reading from left to right and matching spoken words to written words. Usually no more than 10 pages with up to 5 words on a page.
Sample Pages & Books
Red Book Band
Level 2. Recommended reading age 4 - 5 years.
The second step up the ladder as children gain a little more confidence and may know some words by sight. Usually no more than 15 pages with 1 sentence per page.
Sample Pages & Books
Yellow Book Band
Level 3. Recommended reading age 4 - 5 years.
Children are beginning to read more varied sentence structures and taking some note of punctuation. Usually no more than 15 pages with 1 or 2 sentences per page.
Sample Pages & Books
Blue Book Band
Level 4. Recommended reading age 5 - 6 years.
Children are becoming more confident at reading longer and more varied sentences. Usually no more than 15 pages with 2 or 3 sentences per page.
Sample Pages & Books
Green Book Band
Level 5. Recommended reading age 5 - 6 years.
Children are starting to read quite fluently and take note of punctuation. Usually about 20 pages with 3 or 4 sentences per page.
Sample Pages & Books
Orange Book Band
Level 6. Recommended reading age 5 - 6 years.
Children are starting to read longer and more complex sentences and can understand a range of punctuation. Usually about 20 pages with 4 or 5 sentences per page.
Sample Pages & Books
Turquoise Book Band
Level 7. Recommended reading age 6 - 7 years.
Sample Pages & Books
Children can read complex sentences fairly fluently, taking note of punctuation. They use expression and do not rely on illustrations to help them. Usually about 20 pages with 4 or 5 sentences per page.
Purple Book Band
Level 8. Recommended reading age 6 - 7 years.
Sample Pages & Books
Children might read silently or quietly at quite a rapid pace, taking note of punctuation. Usually about 25 pages with 5 to 10 sentences per page.
Gold Book Band
Level 9. Recommended reading age 6 - 7 years.
Sample Pages & Books
Children might read silently or quietly at quite a rapid pace, taking note of punctuation. Usually about 25 pages with 5 to 10 sentences per page.
White Book Band
Level 10. Recommended reading age 6 - 7 years.
Sample Pages & Books
Books might have chapters. Children will read silently most of the time. They are interested in longer texts which they can return to easily after a break. Usually no more than 30 pages and about 10 sentences per page.
Lime Book Band
Level 11. Recommended reading age 6 - 7 years.
Sample Pages & Books
Books might have chapters. Children will read silently most of the time. They are interested in longer texts which they can return to easily after a break. Usually more than 30 pages.
Extended Book Band
Level 12-13. Recommended reading age 7 - 9 years.
Sample Pages & Books
Books might have chapters. Children read silently with confidence and perseverance. A wide variety of longer, demanding texts, usually with around 30 - 50 pages..
Featured books for December
Help your little one settle back into school with this collection of school-themed books.
Our latest news, tips, and advice
Read what's happening with Reading Chest, along with advice on how to help your child on their reading journey.
Read Our BlogReading Chest is Back!
October 16, 2024
We’re thrilled to announce that Reading Chest is now open for business again, and we’ve been hard at work behind the scenes to make sure it’s better than ever! With a brand new website design, we can’t wait to start...
How to Keep the Momentum Going During the Summer Term!
April 15, 2024
The summer term is notoriously chaotic – sports day, summer productions and assessments, you name it, it's crammed in! So, we thought we’d compile our list of top tips to help your little ones continue to enjoy their reading at...
Settling into a New School Year
September 15, 2023
Lots of our members have been in touch to discuss how best to navigate this transitional period. Some schools seem to be sending books home straight away, whilst others are not, and the confusion surrounding book bands and phonics is...
World Book Day – Reading for Pleasure!
March 1, 2023
We want to spread the word about why World Book Day is SO important! Most of us are familiar with the costume rigmarole every year - but at the very heart of this day is reading for pleasure. Reading schemes...
What A Fantastic Idea!
January 27, 2023
As part of National Storytelling Week, residents of Cavell Court Care Home in Norwich have created videos retelling classic children's stories like Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and The Three Little Pigs. These stories are...