Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be invoiced for a product?
All products on the website & bespoke items can be invoiced. Send over an order number or approval note to julia@chestnutbooks.co.uk and we’ll do the rest.
When is payment due?
Payment is due 30 days after your invoice has been issued.
What are the delivery fees?
All orders over £150 qualify for free delivery otherwise delivery is charged at £3.95.
Can I order a title that isn’t listed on the website?
Yes! Please get in touch and we can provide a quote for any titles & quantities.
Can I order a different quantity of books?
Yes! Please get in touch and we can provide a quote for any titles & quantities.
Can I request a topic collection?
Yes! We are always expanding our curriculum collections so do get in touch if you would like one created for a particular theme.
Can I cancel my order?
All pre-made collections can be cancelled prior to dispatch. Bespoke orders (libraries, pupil premium) can not be cancelled after the order has been placed and an invoice has been issued.
What is your returns policy?
Damaged books can be returned within 28 days. Please notify us by email with a picture of any damaged items within 48 hours of delivery.
We do not accept returns for any bespoke services eg. Pupil Premium Collections, Bespoke Library Service as these are made to order.
Are the collections as pictured?
We do our best to provide the books exactly as pictured, however there are occasions when titles are out of stock. Titles in all our collections may be replaced if those pictured are not available at the time of purchase. Any such titles will be replaced with a similar book for the equivalent cost.
Can we substitute books in the collections?
Yes. Get in touch if you would like us to swap a couple of titles. If you are ordering a lot of collections and there are some overlaps, we do our best to take out duplications are replace them for you.
Do you offer a library auditing service?
Chestnut Books offers a library auditing service to all schools within two hours of DE65. A former teacher and expert in children’s publishing, will come to your school and sort through all your current stock, removing damaged and outdated books. We can then provide you with a no obligation quote that will bring your library up-to-date and include lots of modern & diverse books. We can even cross-reference your current stock against your curriculum and recommend books to fill any gaps. This service is £150 per day + travel.
How do you choose the books in your collections?
Chestnut Books was founded by a former Head of English and primary school teacher who understands exactly what children and teachers need to nurture a love of reading.
We carefully select high-quality books that support the National Curriculum objectives for each topic and year group, ensuring learning is both meaningful and enjoyable. Every book corner is thoughtfully curated — each title is read, reviewed, and chosen to create clear progression from one stage to the next.
Our collections are designed to help children build reading stamina, expand their vocabulary, and develop strong comprehension skills through accessible, exciting, and engaging stories.
Diversity and representation are central to everything we do. Every collection includes a wide range of authors, characters, and family experiences, reflecting the richness of modern life and helping every child see themselves in books.
At Chestnut Books, we don’t just supply books — we inspire lifelong readers.
How does the Library Service work?
Our library service is flexible and depends on the needs to your school. We’re happy to visit your school and talk through your requirements and current stock or do this by email/zoom. We’ll then provide you with an itemised bespoke quote. Once we’ve agreed which titles you would like, we’ll arrange for them to be delivered to your school. For an additional fee (£150 per day) we can come and organise & shelve your books for you.
It is really useful to have all the following information to hand:
Number of pupils on roll & age range
Capacity of your library/reading area
Overview of your curriculum
Photos or lists of current stock
Current reading scheme details
We offer an auditing and sorting service to help you find gaps in your stock and to tidy your books. We charge £75 for half a day and £150 for a full day. If you place an order, 50% of this fee will be deducted from your quote. (This service is currently only available to schools within two hours travel of DE65.)
What is your Pupil Premium Service?
We believe every child should have access to high-quality books they love at home. We create a collection of books for each child based on their age, ability & feedback. Collections can be delivered: annually, termly or half-termly.
Pricing options:
3 books for £22 + delivery & packaging fee (approx £50*)
4 books for £27 + delivery & packaging fee (approx £50*)
* this fee is calculated on number of children and travel distance from Derby.
Information required (please ensure you have permission from parents to share this information with us):
List of all PP children (initials only) & their classes/year groups
Genders
Approximate reading ages
Additional information you are happy to share (eg. SEN, diversity)
Do you supply to International Schools?
We are happy to deliver books to a UK based export company. We do not export books ourselves. We do not hold lists of internationally restricted titles. If you are purchasing for a school in a country where there are restrictions, it is the buyer & importer’s responsibility to check the titles are not restricted. We will ask you to confirm this before we issue an invoice.