Wriggly Reader sessions in Leicestershire
libraries provide a chance for babies and toddlers to enjoy
rhymes and stories, and give families the opportunity to
meet and make new friends. Library Development Worker Sue
Goult describes a session with a difference.
Our normal Wriggly Reader weekly session was transformed
when Emma Kidd and Sue Goult wore their pyjamas and dressing
gowns and several children also came dressed in pyjamas,
and everyone brought their teddy bears with them. Lots of
nursery rhymes, action songs and favourite bedtime stories,
and even a Radio Leicester broadcaster, all added to the
fun.
It was difficult to control, but with a specially created
buggy park, and lots of cushions and bean bags, we read
Goodnight Little Bear: a story in which Little Bear doesn't
realise that the scary noise he can hear is his Dad snoring.
Then we sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and everyone pretended
to go to sleep, which is one way to calm down noisy toddlers!
We stressed to the parents and carers the importance of
having a quiet storytime before bed, as a way of calming
the child ready for sleep, enjoying one on one time, and
engaging their interest in books. One Mum told us that their
storytime starts in the bath with a special plastic book,
and then continues after a little drink of warm milk, and
a good cuddle while sharing one of their favourite books.
Sometimes her son is asleep before she finishes the story,
but she feels it is an important time to share, and is busy
trying to encourage her husband to take his turn.
After we had reminded everyone to collect their stickers
for Book Crawl, given out bedtime colouring sheets to take
home, said goodbye to the radio reporter, and reminded everyone
who had not collected their Bookstart Plus and Treasure
Boxes to go and get them, two very relieved adults went
for coffee and a quiet snore in the staff room.
Book Crawl
When families join the Book Crawl adventure, they receive
a collector's card, and then a sticker every time they visit
the library. After collecting five stickers, children receive
a Bookstart certificate, of which there are five to collect.
This is a lovely way to get to know the library and to explore
and share books together.
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