Who can apply on behalf of a school or community library?

Any member of staff can apply, but they must have the endorsement of the headteacher or community library manager.

How will I know if my application is successful?

We will email the nominated contacts at your school or community library to organise the delivery of your IBC Book Box by the end of September 2025.

Unsuccessful applicants will also receive an email with links to their free resources by end of September.

What books will be in the box?

Each IBC Book Box will contain 100 free books reviewed and rated by our expert IBC reviewers, and the titles will be suitable for children aged 2 to 12 years old.

This carefully curated book collection will normally contain mainly fiction, with a fantastic selection of inclusive children’s board books, picture books, chapter books and/or anthologies. We will endeavour to select texts that match your organisation’s requirements as best we can.

How much input is required from Book Box recipients?

Successful applicants are required to:

• view a series of short videos on using inclusive children’s books at storytime
• share photos and/or videos highlighting the positive impact of the IBC Book Box within their settings
• complete a short impact measurement questionnaire

How can I maximise my chances of success?

The quality of your answer to the following question in the application form offers you the best opportunity to influence your chances of success:

’In no more than 250 words, please explain why you would you like to receive an IBC Book Box, and how you would use the books with your students/customers.’

We are keen to support schools and educators who can show how the books will make a real difference.

We’re not a state school or community library, can we apply?

No, we are afraid you cannot apply for this particular scheme. However, parents, childminders and other early years providers, public libraries, Schools Library Services and private schools can support eligible state schools and community libraries by nominating them to apply. Click here to nominate.

We don’t have a school library, can we apply?

Absolutely! Your class reading corners, bookshelves, book trollies and learning resource rooms all count. We aspire to a world in which a sample of children’s books from any place, including your whole school’s book collection, reflects the diversity of our society.

The fine print

• Book boxes may be divided into smaller collections to distribute to particularly small settings or settings catering to a narrow age range
• Most book boxes will usually be delivered in September 2025, dependent on supply. A small number of boxes will be delivered in March 2026.
• IBC reserves the right to run additional rounds of applications or not to distribute the full number of boxes if insufficient applications are received.

Need more info?

If you can’t find the answer you need above, please email sophie@inclusivebooksforchildren.org.

Learn more about the inclusive children’s books reviewed by IBC via our homepage.