Booktalks are short talks about books for the purpose of “selling” the book to listeners and enticing them to want to read the book. Librarians and teachers who work with children and youth have found that booktalking is an effective way to promote reading. Booktalking can be done with readers of all ages. Much has been written on the techniques of booktalking as well as suggesting books and topics. Samples of resources are listed.

Handling Your Booktalk Information

If you do a lot of booktalking, it is a good habit to fill out an index card with enough information about each book to jog your memory sufficiently to do at least a mini-talk. You can code the ones you like the best. You should record your negative reactions to books as well as your positive ones. You may also want to include notes of other presentations in your booktalk file, such as an annual talk to give to classes or parents on literature for children.

Consider using a computer program to index by author, title, and subject. If you use note cards, you will probably want them filed alphabetically by author. Computer files can be indexed with multiple headings or you can use your collection category as an index. Use plastic card sleeves or laminate the cards you use frequently.

You may give frequent booktalks either by request or initiated on your own. You can easily put together a booktalk program from your notes on index cards. Booktalk notes are personal, so these will be your own files but you may want a review file available for students to access that might consist of other students' reviews.

You can put little-used titles in an inactive file. You might discard your cards for titles you no longer need for a book-talk or you can keep the information on your computer so it can be printed out anytime.

Your own collection of booktalks will be the result of a lot of self-discipline and a commitment to develop your collection. Many teachers and librarians who work with children and young adults fill out an index card for every juvenile book they read.

Sources of Information about Booktalks

You can purchase wonderful books with ideas for booktalking and storytelling. Caroline Feller Bauer and Joni Bodart have written books containing many ideas for creative presentations for children and young people. You can get booktalk ideas from periodicals such as Booktalker.

Examples of Resources on Booktalks

• Booktalker. H.W. Wilson, 1994 -
• Booktalking the Award Winners. H.W. Wilson, 1994 -
• Booktalking with Joni Brodart [videorecording] H.W. Wilson, 1985
• Gillespie, John. Juniorplots 4. R.R. Bowker, 1993. Earlier titles.
• Gillespie, John. Middleplots 4. R.R. Bowker, 1994. Earlier titles.
• Gillespie, John. Seniorplots. Bowker, 1989.
• Gillespie, John. The Newbery Companion: booktalk and related materials for Newbery Medal and Honor Books, Libraries Unlimited, 1996.
• Gotcha: Nonfiction Booktalks to Get Kids Excited About Reading. Libraries Unlimited, 1999
• Littlejohn, Carol. Talk that Book! Booktalking for the Ages. Linworth, 1999.
• New Booktalker. Libraries Unlimited, 1992 -
• Novel Booktalks; Award Winners and Other Favorites. Book Lures, 1992.
• Polette, Nancy. Picture Booktalks to Perform Selected Picture Books Published 1988-1992. Book Lures, 1992.
• Richards, Joni. Booktalk 5! H.W. Wilson, 1993. Earlier titles.
• Rochman, Hazel. Tales of Love and Terror; Booktalking the Classics, Old and New. ALA, 1987. Book and video by the same title.

Articles about Booktalking

• Baxter, Kathleen. “Unbeatable booktalks” School Library Journal, Vol. 43 Issue 3, p121 Mar. 1997.
• Norton, Terry L. and Carol S. Anfin. “Brush Up Your Booktalks: Promoting Literature-Based Reading, Part I.” School Library Media Activities Monthly. v14 n3 p29-32, 34 Nov 1997.
• Norton, Terry L and Carol S. Anfin. “Brush Up Your Booktalks: Promoting Literature-Based Reading: Part II.” School Library Media Activities Monthly. v14 n4 p27-29, 32, 34 Dec 1997.
• Polette, Nancy. “Two Way Booktalks: To Read and to Perform.” School Library Media Activities Monthly. v.9 no. 8 pp 27-29. April, 1993.

Online Booktalking Resources

• How to do a booktalk http://www.uri.edu/artsci/lsc/Faculty/geaton/MSLMAtalk/
• Nancy Keane’s Booktalks – Quick and Simple at http://nancykeane.com/booktalks/new1305.htm
• Scholastic Booktalks and Video Booktalks http://www.scholastic.com/librarians/ab/booktalks.htm
• Be a better Booktalker - Training Podcasts http://www.beabetterbooktalker.com/
• Booktalking Children's Books http://asuen.wordpress.com/