Reading Chest is a book swapping service for children learning to read.
After an initial delivery of 8 reading books, simply return the books in the pre-paid envelope and wait for some more to arrive in the post! Here’s work it works:
Free delivery of books to your door
Return the books in your prepaid envelope, and we’ll send you some more!
Step 1: Choose your subscription package
Our packages are designed to meet different needs, depending on how many times you think you would like to swap your books and how many children are sharing the account. (It is only our silver and gold packages that can be shared between siblings as they allow more than one book list to be created.)
Bronze
£13.95 per Month.
- Initial delivery of 8 books
- Swap 6 books once a month (keep 2 at home while you wait for the post!)
- You get up to 6 new books each month
- A good supply for one reader, with all books at the same reading level
Silver
£21.95 per Month.
- Initial delivery of 8 books
- Swap 6 books twice a month (keep 2 at home while you wait for the post!)
- You get up to 12 new books each month (if you swap 6 each time)
- You can make 2 book lists to split your books between 2 siblings at different reading levels (optional)
Gold
£28.95 per Month.
- Initial delivery of 8 books
- Swap 6 books three times a month (keep 2 at home while you wait for the post!)
- You get up to 18 new books each month (if you swap 6 each time)
- You can make 3 book lists to split your books between up to 3 siblings at different reading levels (optional)
For readers on the very highest “Extended” book band, you’ll receive 6 books initially, and then 4 books with each swap. These books are longer (and heavier!) then other bands, and we need to send slightly fewer to ensure they still fit through your letterbox!
Step 2: Choose your child’s books
To ensure your child enjoys reading and makes the best progress, selecting the right book band during the joining process is important. For further guidance go to What are book bands?
The Reading Chest Team will select books at your chosen book band from our collection of reading schemes used in schools, such as Oxford Reading Tree, Collins Big Cat, Rigby Star, Bug Club Phonics, Big Cat Phonics, Floppy’s Phonics, Project X, Engage Literacy.
If your child has particular likes or interests, you can personalise your book choices in your Reading Chest account as much as you wish.
- Choose particular reading schemes
- Choose fiction, non-fiction, or both
- Choose particular titles using the ‘favourites’ feature
- Exclude particular titles using the ‘book bin’ feature.
Don’t worry about any of this, as you can amend your account preferences at any time.
For more help, see Tips on choosing books or What are book bands?
Step 3: Wait for your first delivery of books to arrive in the post!
After setting up your book list, we’ll get your first delivery sent out to you as soon as possible.
All membership levels will get eight books initially. You should always post six books back to us (keeping two at home while you wait for the next delivery). You can swap books once, twice, or three times a month depending on your membership level.
Step 4: Pop books in nearest post box & wait for more!
After reading, simply return your books using the pre-paid return envelope in your nearest post box. You should always post six books back to us in a single envelope, to make the most of your swap.
This is what Reading Chest calls a “swap”. (Bronze members get one swap each month, Silver members get two swaps each month, and Gold members get three swaps per month.)
No late fees, cancel any time
You can keep the books for as long as you like. There are no due dates or late fees. There is no minimum membership period. To cancel, simply click a link in your account, then return all your books to Reading Chest.
Other great features!
- Certificates after reading 20 books or moving up a book band
- Reward charts and stickers
- View personal reading records of books read
- Write book reviews and see them published online