The main focus of the bookclub is to promote relaxation through reading. By modelling to the children, I show them how they can enjoy relaxing while reading and help them to learn how they can create the same cosy and calm space at home and recognise how beneficial it is for their wellbeing.

When the session starts, we do a 5 min seated breathing exercise to promote calmness and then the children help themselves to a hot chocolate and a few biscuits to enjoy while they read. The children can bring a blanket from home as well as their own book(s), but they can also choose one from the library just for that session. I put on relaxing sounds and encourage them to make themselves comfy and immerse themselves in their book for the remaining session. If they find it a struggle to stay reading, they can bring a journal or diary to write or draw in but they understand the purpose is to read first for as long as they can. For each session I create book club membership badges/bookmarks for the children to use and keep.

Feedback:

What did you like best about Bookclub?

• “Hot chocolate”!

• “Getting to catch up on my reading and being able to chill”.

• “It was a good club”.

• “I liked that we had snacks and got to share facts about the books we are reading”.

How did you feel after Bookclub?

• “I felt really relaxed”.

• “I felt good”.

• “I felt good and relaxed after bookclub”.

• “So relaxed”.

Would you recommend Bookclub to your friends?

• “Yes of course xoxo”!

• “Yes I will recommend bookclub to all my friends”!

• “Yes it was good”.

• “YES”!