Our Story
Learn more about our mission to help children learn to read, one book at a time.
Find out more
How it all started
When Jen started helping her son learn to read, she quickly realised how hard it was to find enough just-right books at home — especially for early readers who race through them.
School book swaps can be unpredictable, libraries don't always stock phonics books, and buying them gets expensive fast. Jen wanted a simpler way for families to have a steady supply of levelled books without the cost or the stress.
That's how Reading Chest was born: a flexible, affordable way to keep children topped up with books that actually match their reading level.
Aim and philosophy
At Reading Chest, our mission is simple: to make it easier for you to support your child as they learn to read, and to enjoy it along the way! We’re not here to replace your school’s reading system. Think of us as the extra boost that keeps things flowing when book bags come home empty, books are too tricky (or too easy), or holidays slow everything down.
By giving you affordable access to a huge range of carefully levelled fiction and non-fiction books, we make it easier for your child to read the right things at the right time.
At the heart of it all, we just want to help your child feel confident, motivated, and happy to pick up a book.
Who is it for?
Reading Chest is for anyone supporting a young reader — whether you’ve got a brand-new beginner or a confident bookworm who burns through stories faster than you can find them.
Our collection is designed for children aged roughly 4 to 10, when getting the right reading level really matters. Because early readers often struggle to find suitable books in libraries or at home, we fill that gap with a wide mix of phonics-friendly, carefully levelled titles.
Families join us for all sorts of reasons:
- Reluctant readers who need motivating books (and the occasional sticker!)
- Speedy readers who never seem to have enough at home
- Home-educating families without access to school reading books
- Parents who simply want more choice and less stress
Wherever you’re starting from, we’re here to make reading feel easier, more joyful, and better supported!
A few words from our happy parents
See why families love Reading Chest
"The service is fast and efficient and our daughter really enjoyed having a variety of books to choose from (whereas at school she could only choose one at a time, and often ended up with books she wasn't that interested in)."
Vicki Lonnon
"I have used Reading Chest for over four years and am an extremely happy customer. It's been an excellent resource, good book selection and faultless customer service. I highly recommend it."
Claire Wise
"Thank you so much for the service that you provide. Reading Chest has been an extremely important resource in their reading progress. Both of my children are now working at greater depth in reading and are reading books above their school year group!"
Amy Broughton
"The moment I walked in to find both kids (in different years) curled up with their latest Reading Chest book, reading it just for fun, is a memory I'll keep forever."
Laura Alcock-Ferguson
"Reading Chest has been great to encourage regular reading. The books are all in very good condition and we have enjoyed the sticker charts!"
Karen Wagner
"The variety of books were great, he loved receiving his new books and the activity pack encouraged him to keep on reading through the holidays. To top it off, he moved up a reading level when he started back at school thanks to the Reading Chest!"
Claire Ridgers
"Reading Chest has been a lifeline to me and to my children. It gave my son, who is dyslexic, a confidence in his reading and consequently a love in reading. My daughter tore though the books and was always delighted to see a new envelope arrive in the post."
Olive McCluggage
"As a primary school teacher with a young daughter I was keen to encourage a love of reading. The variety and 'freshness' of Reading Chest books has really helped with this – my 5 year old often has to be told to stop reading so that we can do other things!"
Hayley S
"Excellent service over the last three years. Your service has been invaluable in getting my son's reading to progress. Congratulations Reading Chest team, you do a fabulous job!"
Laetitia