Some children are great readers, but all children want to have a party. Mesh the two in the form of a children’s book club, and you’ll be stoking the fire for a future literary indulger.
The Guest List: The saying goes, the more the merrier. But when it comes to book clubs it is best to keep the attendee list to about six to eight children, all around the same reading level. If you have a younger group, parents should be included.
Choose a Location: When choosing a location, it’s best to think about the age group of the attendees. A monthly rotation at participant’s houses is a great option, especially if all the attendees know each other. If you want a more public space, local libraries offer separate rooms for group meetings, and bookstores and coffee shops are another alternative, albeit a little louder.
Come Up With a Plan: Once a location and time are set, it’s time to figure out what will get the children engaged. To get them involved, you can have members bring treats related to the book—a great conversation starter—or have a small activity correlating to the book. To get the discussion started, prepare some questions before the group meets so you’re not caught with nothing to say, or squirmy children. Have both broad and specific questions about the book. It’s good to have an adult help guide the discussion and keep things on track, depending on the age of the group members.
Beyond the Book: If you want to take the book club a bit further, take a field trip or have a guest speaker; there are a multitude of options in the Northern Virginia area. Reading a tale about the Civil War? Host the book club, picnic-style, at a nearby battlefield. Does the book take the reader into space? Visit a planetarium or the Udvar-Hazy Center in Dulles.
(January 2015)
