Aligning perfectly with the 'Read Your Way' theme, a Book Tasting Café makes browsing for books feel incredibly special. By turning your classroom tables into a 'café', children are encouraged to 'taste' different stories, chat about illustrations, and discover the joy of reading for pleasure in a relaxed, social setting.

Materials Needed

A selection of picture books, non-fiction, and poetry
Paper or fabric tablecloths (red checked look great!)
Plastic plates and cups (borrowed from the home corner)
'Menu' templates (or blank paper and clipboards)
Crayons or pencils for mark-making

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Set the Scene

Transform your role-play area or classroom tables into a 'Café'. Lay out tablecloths, cups, and plates. Place a different, exciting book on each plate to act as the 'meal'. Make it inviting!

2. Introduce the Menus

Give each child a blank piece of paper or a simple 'menu' on a clipboard. Explain that they are going to 'taste' some books today. "What do you think a book café serves? Words and stories!"

3. Taste the Books

Let the children sit at a table and 'taste' (browse) the book in front of them for 3-5 minutes. Encourage them to look at the illustrations and spot familiar letters. "Can you see sounds you know?"

4. Swap and Share

Ring a bell and ask the children to swap tables or pass their 'plate' to the right. This keeps the energy high and introduces them to titles they might ignore. Praise those trying a new genre.

5. Write a Review

After tasting, ask them to use their menus to 'review' their favourite book by drawing a picture of the cover or mark-making some thoughts. "Which story was the most delicious? Why did you like it?"

Classroom Adaptations

Large class?

Run the café as part of continuous provision, letting 4-6 children visit at a time to keep it calm and special.

Limited resources?

Borrow books from the school library to ensure variety, and just use standard classroom tables if you don't have tablecloths.

EAL learners?

Include dual-language books or wordless picture books on their 'plates' to ensure they feel entirely successful in reading.

High ability?

Encourage them to spot 'tricky words' they know on the pages or attempt to write the title of the book on their menu.

Book Tasting Cafe: Reading for Pleasure Literacy Activity for World Book Day