Children's Book Clubs - Get Your Child Involved!

By Desiree Difabio

Book clubs are a great way for adults to get together, have some fellowship, drink a glass of wine, and have intellectual conversation. Sure, book clubs may seem more geared towards women than men, but I know plenty of fantastic men who love their "book clubs" just as much as I do! True theirs may be on the latest Bobby Flay cookbook but hey, it is still reading!

So why are we not getting our kids more involved in these types of activities? Reading is the biggest push in education today. If our kids do not or cannot read, the future of this country will be in jeopardy. Educators are working overtime, round the clock, trying to teach kids to read. Think of a strategy to engage a child in reading? The school systems are doing it. Special props to Duval County in Jacksonville, FL for taking a proactive approach and requiring that ALL students be enrolled in some sort of reading class based on their reading needs.

That said, we can do plenty about this at home! As a parent and a teacher I know that it must start with me. If you are busy and do not have the chance to stay at home with your child, then read to them every night before bedtime. Let them touch the books, hold the books, eat the books if they want to! Any interaction a child has with a book is good and should be made to be a positive thing. Find a couple of friends with children in your age group and get them together once a month, just like the adults, and sit them in a circle with a pile of books. Do not expect them to discuss which characters they liked or hated, instead, have them "play" together with the books. As they get older, have them read to each other. If we make reading fun and part of what they do with their friends, we still have a chance to teach our future leaders how to be good readers!

For a list of great books to start your child off with, visit me at http://www.book-club-queen.com/book-clubs-for-children.html

Desiree, aka Queenie D is an English teacher, mom, and lover of books!

Want more information on book clubs? Looking for a book to read? Want to share something you've read? Visit http://www.book-club-queen.com for a fantastic adventure in reading!