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January 08, 2018

Start a Family Book Club in 2018

Start a Family Book Club in 2018

By: Lisa Glesil, Fishers Youth Services Librarian

We’ve all heard of book clubs.  There are adult book clubs that meet at public libraries.  There are adult book clubs that meet at coffee houses or people’s homes.  There are also children’s book clubs.  There is usually a theme for the book club or a particular genre explored with various book titles.  Well, how about starting a family book club in your home?

Depending on the size of your family and the ages of your kids, it can be very simple using favorite or classic picture books, or it could entail longer chapter books that can be read aloud.  If the children are older and reading on their own, everyone could take turns reading a page or a few paragraphs.  Once you decide on a book or theme, plan a meal or snacks around that theme.  If you’re crafty, plan a fun craft to do together.  Coloring pages would work nicely as well.  Adults usually enjoy coloring, too.

Here’s a simple theme idea to get you started:  “Pizza Party.”  Read:  “Pete’s a Pizza” by William Steig.  This book would be great for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners.  Throw a pizza in the oven–either homemade where you discuss the ingredients–or a frozen pizza.

Another book selection to consider:  “The Princess and the Pizza” by Mary Jane Auch.  This book is longer and may be better for kindergarten through second grade.

The most important element about a family book club is spending time together enjoying books!  Be creative, have fun, and be sure to visit the library often to get more great books.