Do students crave good books?

Do you ever wish you had a recipe for improving their reading appetite?

Librarians are always finding innovative ways to engage students in the library.

What is Book Tasting?

It’s a high-impact event that introduces children to a wide range of books in a fun environment.

A deliciously simple method to develop students’ taste for good literature. With the help of this activity, students can quickly taste a variety of interesting books and create a wish list of titles that they would like to read. It is an enjoyable method to encourage students to explore different genres and authors. A pleasant, no-pressure method to get multiple books into the hands of students to explore. They might be extensive or kept as simple as possible.

Benefits of Book Tasting

• Discovering new books.
• Encourages reading.
• Develops reading skills.
• Students can “taste” their favorite novels with their friends.
• Promotes social interaction.
• Provides a low-pressure environment to try out new books without feeling like they must commit to reading a whole book they may not like.
• Make kids excited about reading!

King’s College Book Tasting Event

Our Library organized a Book Tasting event for our students, which was held on the 24th of February, and was a tremendous success! The purpose of this event was to encourage our students to explore new genres of literature and to promote a love of reading.

The library was transformed into a “cafe”, and each grade was assigned a table number and various books to browse. Students “tasted,” a variety of genres which included science fiction, fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels which were selected in advance by the library team. Cupcakes were also provided as students finished the first round to extend the restaurant concept.

Each student was given a menu and was able to choose which “dishes” they wanted to sample. They were given a few minutes to read a few pages of the book before moving on to the next one, where they exchanged books on the table with their friends to taste and take notes in their menu on the ones that grabbed their attention. Students also learned how to use the ideas they are taught in class to link what they are reading independently on a profound level.

Many students discovered new genres that they would never have considered before, and some even found new favourite books!

The Librarians and teachers at King’s College International Hangzhou believe that fostering a love of reading in our students is crucial, not only for academic success but also for personal growth and development. Reading can provide a window into different cultures, experiences, and perspectives, which can broaden their understanding of the world around them. Self-selected reading has been found to enhance vocabulary, concentration and general knowledge across all subject areas. Moreover, it eases stress and enhances sleep.

The library staff in collaboration with teachers will continue to hold similar activities throughout the academic year because self-selected, independent reading is a crucial component of the curriculum at King’s College International school. It was an engaging and enjoyable activity and students are reminded that the library always has a buffet of books worthy of a reading feast.