The Library for Under 5s

Research shows that sharing stories and rhymes gives a child the best start to learning and reading becomes an enjoyable skill for life.

10 minutes reading a day can dramatically improve your child's lifelong language, literacy and numeracy skills.  Belonging to a library opens up a wealth of free books, information and skills for families to enjoy.

There are Parents Collections in all Nottingham City Libraries with useful books on child development, play, healthy food, sleep and entertaining your child.

There are board books suitable for babies and toddlers and don't worry there is no replacement charge if the books get damaged on an Under 5s card.

There are also no overdue or reservation fees to pay until they reach 18.

Regular after school drop-in sessions during term time, run by staff and trained volunteers: 

Reading Champions for ages 4 to 16:

• gain confidence with independent reading by reading aloud to staff or volunteers
• get reading diaries signed

Games Club all ages welcome:

• board and card games for everyone to enjoy

Locations and times (run in term time only):

Aspley Library  Wednesdays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Reading Champions and Games Club

Bilborough Library Tuesdays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Reading Champions

Clifton Library Thursdays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Games Club

Dales Centre Library Mondays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Reading Champions and Games Club

Meadows Library Mondays and Fridays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Reading Champions

Sherwood Library Wednesdays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Reading Champions and Games Club

Southglade Park Library Wednesdays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Reading Champions and Games Club

Strelley Road Library Mondays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Reading Champions and Fridays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Games Club

Totstime sessions for babies and toddlers run in all libraries with stories, rhymes, music and movement. Join in the singing, have fun with your child exploring language music and books.

Children's Centre Staff also run play sessions for toddlers in some libraries.

• Giant Print and Braille picture books at Nottingham Central Library and Hyson Green Library
• Penpal to use with a special collection of dual language picture books at Hyson Green Library. Penpal provides an audio version, in a human voice, of the text when the pen touches each page. This can also be easily changed to read in different languages so is useful to parents or children with sight loss, children learning to read or children and families where English is not their first language

Every child in Nottingham is entitled to two Bookstart packs:

1. 'Bookstart Baby' gifted at 6 to 8 weeks by a Health Visitor
2. 'Bookstart Treasure' gifted to 3 to 4 year olds by their nursery or pre-school

For more information visit the Bookstart website
Collect your free Bookstart Bears Reading Adventure story sticker book for under 5s at your local library.

Contact us:
Nottingham Bookstart,
Aspley Library,
Nuthall Road,
Nottingham,
NG8 5DD

Email: charlotte.blount@nottinghamcity.gov.uk  Tel: 0115 915 2844

Launched in 2001 and targeted at preschool children since 2008 the award aims to get young children excited about reading.

Click the link to read more about this Book Award and to take part!

The winner of the Nottingham Children’s Book Award 2018 was...

Neon Leon by Jane Clarke and Britta Teckentrup

(published by Nosy Crow) Jane Clarke and Britta Teckentrup have written and illustrated well over 100 books between them. They won with 38% of the vote.

The runners up were:

Bedtime with Ted by Sophy Henn (published by Bloomsbury)

Giraffe and Frog by Zehra Hicks (published by Two Hoots)