Children aged five and under

Many of our libraries offer free weekly activities for under fives such as rhyme times. These fun, friendly, free sessions (which last about 30 minutes), include a mix of songs, rhymes and movement to help with your child's language and motor skills, they are also a lovely opportunity for you and your baby or toddler to meet other families.

Numbers at these sessions are limited and often in high demand, so please contact your local library for more information about booking a place. If you book a place and are unable to attend, please remember to cancel your booking as soon as possible.

Keep an eye on our Library news and social media for updates.

Do not forget - you can also watch our recorded rhyme times any time via our Wiltshire libraries YouTube channel (opens new window).

Story Sharers is a new promotion aimed at encouraging families to share books with their children prior to starting school (from birth up to four years old). It will be launched from 13 July 2024 alongside the Summer Reading Challenge in larger libraries: Amesbury, Bradford on Avon, Calne, Chippenham, Corsham, Devizes, Malmesbury, Marlborough, Melksham, Royal Wootton Bassett, Salisbury, Trowbridge, Warminster and Westbury.

The ultimate aim is to share 1000 books, in 4 stages, with special collector's leaflets and stickers to mark progress, plus a lovely certificate awarded at the end of each stage.

Taking part in Story Sharers will help support early speech, communication and language skills as well as positive health and wellbeing for the whole family.

There is no time limit to the challenge, you can do at their own pace, and continue to finish even if your children have started school and/or started to read independently. Older children not yet reading independently and or those with additional needs may also take part.

Once a child has started reading independently and/or has completed Story Sharers they can move onto the Story Adventurer's Club (for 4 to 16 year olds).

For more information please ask about at one of the participating libraries.

Looking for rhymes to share at home?

See 'Downloads' for some of our favourites.

The National Literacy Trust also has a great selection as part of their Words for Life (opens new window) activities and BookTrust has a lovely selection of rhymes (opens new window) too.

Unable to read stories to your grandchildren at the moment or hear them read? Email libraryenquiries@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window) for our tips on story reading and/or listening to children read during a video call.

Bookstart is a national programme managed by the independent charity BookTrust dedicated to encouraging people of all ages and cultures to engage with books.

Bookstart (opens new window) helps you to enjoy books with your child from an early age by inspiring a love of reading that will give children a flying start in life. The campaign offers free books for babies, as well as free packs for children with additional needs, tips and guidance on reading together, resources and activities, and much more.

You will get your free Bookstart baby pack at your baby's six to eight week health check with your health visitor or at some point in your child's first year.

For children with additional needs they can receive a BookTrust: Packs for children with additional needs (opens new window).

For more information about Bookstart in Wiltshire please email the Wiltshire Bookstart Co-ordinator via libraryenquiries@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).

Finding the right book for your child can sometimes be difficult. See 'Links' at the top, right-hand side of the page, for some recommended websites with booklists and information for all ages and abilities.

Talk it over are picture books to help with new and sensitive situations such as family break-ups, bereavement or starting school.

Many of our libraries have collections of "Talk it over" books, which can be identified by the teddy bear sticker on the spine, or ask for a hard copy of our Talk it Over leaflet (available under 'Downloads' on this page).

If your local library does not hold a copy of the title you are looking for it can be requested free of charge.

We have compiled a booklist of picture books which help parents and carers discuss with younger children their emotions and feelings following the death (or terminal diagnosis) of a loved one. The books sensitively approach the subject, helping children to understand their feelings and offers suggestions to help them deal with their grief. Contact libraryenquiries@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window) to be emailed a copy.