Booktalking…

Or “Don’t you librarians just read all

day anyway?”

What is a Booktalk?

What is a Booktalk?

Booktalks are like movie trailers or commercials for books!

They function in the same way as blurbs on the back of a book jacket.

The purpose is to grab the attention of the audience and make them want to read the book.

A booktalk is NOT the same as a book review.

Why Booktalk?

Increases circulation

Promotes the library for recreational reading

Increases the audiences awareness of the library

Promotes collection and/or resources

You get to share your favorite reads with patrons!

Booktalking Styles

Character Based- describe a particular character and talk about their point of view

Plot Summary- summarize the plot to a particular point and stop to create a cliff-hanging ending

Scene Based- read a particular scene from the book, usually an exciting or pivotal point

Tips for creating great booktalks

Never booktalk a book you have not read or didn’t like.

Create a script for each book and practice the narrative

Individual book talks should be 2 - 3 minutes in length

Group books into a theme

Try mixing fiction and non-fiction titles within a theme

Tips for creating great booktalks

Keep it simple: plots, characters, etc…

Remember to give the title and author

Don’t read from the script!

Don’t give away the ending or surprises!

Make sure the material is appropriate

PLEASE don’t ever say “Read this and find out!”

Group Exercise… Yay!Charlotte’s Web

by E.B. WhiteThe Cat in the Hat

by Dr. Seuss

Mix it up Web 2.0 style!

Record your Booktalk as a video.

Create a booktalking podcast.

Utilize a booktalking blog or wiki.

Booktalk Links

ALA Booktalking Tipshttp://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/profdev/booktalking.cfm/

Booktalks Quick & Simplehttp://nancykeane.com/booktalks/default.htm

Book Winkhttp://www.bookwink.com

Helpful links for designing and presenting booktalks, including sample scripts.

ResourcesFranklin, Pat. Get Students to Read through Booktalking! School Library Media Activities Monthly Volume XXIV, No 7, March 2008.

Jones, Patrick. Connecting Young Adults and Libraries. Neal-Schuman: New York, 1998. http://www.connectingya.com

Gruenthal, Heather. 21st Century Booktalks! CSLA Journal. Vol 31, No 2, Spring 2008.

Younker, J. Marin. Talking it Up. School Library Journal Vol 52, no 4, April 2006.

Belben, Cathy. There Are No Booktalking Police. Library Media Connection 26 no 2 October 2007.

Cole, Sonja. Booktalks that Knock-em Dead. Teacher Librarian 35 no 1 October 2007.

Kelly, Kate. Bookfomertials. http://www.ri.net/vidcon/KK/Bookfomercials.htm