The Love of Reading

A few years ago, when it was time to bring Brave The Waves into the classroom, I began to write the program myself but was going nowhere. My, oh my, there was a lot of crumpled paper in my office! Must have been the fact that I never wrote curriculum before, or that I am not a teacher.

I realized that I needed a teacher who would highlight the important lessons. Dive deep into the characters. Make sure the love of reading my book would surface. Most of all, to create a program that would be fun.

I made a bee-line for Deborah Rogers, who had everything I was looking for. And I never looked back.

A teacher for over 20 years. Deborah truly understood what the love of reading meant and the effect a book can have on a person.

Yoga enthusiast, a lover of photography. Devours a great burger, fries, and a good piece of chocolate. With a husband, three kids, twins age 10 and one age 3, a full house she has indeed; nevertheless, that didn’t stop her from creating a masterpiece that I named Brave The Waves with my book Me and My So-Called Friends.

And Deborah didn’t stop there.

After a successful book club launch, during the summer of 2020, Deborah decided to create @kidsbookclubto where kids from grades 2-8 can enjoy reading with not only the novel that I wrote but with other books as well.

Deborah and I had a little back and forth conversation via the good old-fashioned telephone the other day, and this is what we gabbed about!

What is your favourite part of teaching?

For the past 20 years, I have taught in various communities. All grades in the elementary panel as well as special education. My favourite part? I have many, actually! Educating about mental health and wellness. Incorporating social-emotional learning. Engaging students to help them understand something for the first time. Creating a strong community of learners and space where everyone feels hears and valued is also a great joy of mine. And finally, witnessing the growth in my students and celebrating their successes. I bring this passion and these goals of mine to @Kidsbookclubto.

Have you always enjoyed reading?

Truthfully no. As a young child, I struggled to learn how to read. It was not until the second grade that I actually became a reader. When kids are asked, “Do you like to read?” the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. Sometimes we put readers in a category as either liking reading or not. My goal with @KidsBookClubto is to provide an environment where all different types of readers can come together and have a positive experience with reading. I make it a social experience. It engages those avid readers who need a challenge and to be exposed to new genres while engaging the reluctant readers as well. It is a guided approach to the love of reading with a no-pressure environment. Most of all, it’s fun!

What is @kidsbookclubto?

Quite simply, a book club for kids. I saw there was a need for children to really enjoy the love of reading while engaging in a social experience with friends or to meet other kids outside of their school or community. One of the silver linings of having a book club is the people you meet. Everyone comes to a book club for different reasons.

• The need for greater confidence in their reading ability.
• To think critically and be able to express their ideas and opinions about books.
• To be exposed to new books from various genres that they would not usually get to read.
• For kids to be connected socially and feel good about themselves.

Parents need it now more than ever too! A book club provides a safe place for their child to fall in love with reading in a whole new way and they don’t have to spend their time sourcing out the books!

How do book clubs work?

We offer the option of joining an existing book club or creating your own book club for your child and their friends.

Presently, I run book clubs for children in grades 2-8. We meet once per week on a designated day and time. In the winter months, we use Zoom. During the warmer months, we can meet in person, outdoors following proper COVID protocols. Each session consists of 8 weeks and is 1 hour in length. Every child is provided with a curated book list based on their age and interests, that I research thoroughly. Next on the agenda is voting time! Everyone has a chance to request the book they want to read. Once the book is chosen we begin the adventure!

I begin each session with a friendly ice breaker, then we read aloud together and stop to discuss the content when necessary.

I have to say that the hour flies by! After each session, some reading is assigned to do during the week and we all look forward to discussing the book again when we meet back as a group.

I also provide weekly correspondence with parents to let them know about successes, topics we discuss, and the weekly reading that has been assigned.

During the last class, we will do a really fun activity together to celebrate finishing a book, such as cooking, making jewelry, or an author visit. All are COVID safe, of course.

What is the most fulfilling and challenging part of the book club?

I think the most fulfilling part of running this book club is seeing how kids of all ages are enjoying themselves. To witness that they have a love of reading not only brings a huge smile to my face, but to the parents as well. I am overwhelmed and thrilled with the positive feedback I am getting and receiving.

The most challenging part of the book club is when a child does not get their first choice in the book that the group reads. For some kids, this can be disappointing but it is a good lesson in life that you don’t always get what you want and that compromise is key!

Book ClubTO. The one stop shop for a fun, interactive activity that ticks off all the boxes that both parents and kids appreciate.

Check out the website www.kidsbookclubto.com and follow us on Instagram @kidsbookclubto for amazing pictures, book recommendations, and collaborations with local businesses in Toronto that kids will love.

I’m so grateful to be able to have the opportunity to write what I’m passionate about and what I think will serve others. If you would like me to write for a product or service you represent or for your own company, please be in touch.