Author- Swati Ramkumar
My journey with the Library Educator’s Certificate course feels like a dream come true. To think, read, and talk about children’s books in the company of fellow book enthusiasts is pure magic. So, when it was time for our second contact session in January, I was abuzz with anticipation.
Our venue this time was a serene retreat center perched atop a hillock in old Goa. Four days slipped by with Birdsong-filled mornings, Astha Chal evenings and a whole lot of book frenzy in between. Each day tapped into new aspects of library work while rekindling my perception of familiar ones. It allowed me to root my “why” behind this work. There were introductions to powerful, perspective- altering approaches that held a mirror to my privileges and unearthed my own biases. Between the Bookworm team, LEC alumni and my fellow course mates, there was plenty of safe space for me to share my hopes, pose burning questions, and express fears.
Among the many practices we explored, the session on Book talks left a lasting impression on me as it offered a fresh perspective on this art.
When we were first introduced to Book talks, I found the practice to be both stimulating and demanding. Jennifer’s presentation of Head Curry remains vivid in my mind to this day, for her personal connection with the book was so gently compelling. It sparked a remarkable follow-up discussion, one I still reflect on when sharing the book with friends and family. Anandita and Megha introduced us to Miss Moore Thought Otherwise and Arrival, once again drawing us into their chosen books with striking intensity. I marveled at the ease and finesse with which our facilitators created such an inviting atmosphere.
For my first Book talk during the field project, I chose the book I Talk Like a River by Jordon Scott and Sydney Smith. The book’s sensitive portrayal of isolation moved me deeply. Given that it follows a young boy navigating his relationship with himself, the world and nature, I hoped that children too would find it relatable. I revisited my experience of Book talks from contact one, aiming to recreate that immersive atmosphere. Reading So You Have To Do A Book talk from the compendium provided a useful three part structure- Book, Hook and a Quick Look. I also loved its analogy of a Book talk as a movie trailer! I designed a guidelines flyer and cue cards to help children engage with the practice and tested the talk on my son and his friends, incorporating their feedback.
The day arrived. Children were intrigued by this unfamiliar practice, and the stunning gatefold page of a boy wading through a glistening river worked as an effective hook. The trial runs paid off, ensuring a smooth delivery, and my love for the story and the visuals came through during the Q&A.
While many children felt motivated and signed up for future Book talks, some expressed a desire to move beyond picture books. But I was yet to come across a Book talk that did not use a picture book! Their request made me pause and wonder if Book talks could take on a different form. I also wanted to find ways to encourage them to move beyond standard questions, a skill I was still honing in my own engagement with Book talks.
Answers came during the second LEC contact where we prepared and shared Book talks in smaller groups. Six of us, accompanied by Lalitha from the Bookworm team, headed towards the Gazebo, each armed with a treasured book. To top it off, we had the delightful company of Pooja, a LEC alumnus and Andrea Pinto, Librarian Extraordinaire. The Gazebo, symbolic of connection and openness, seemed like the perfect spot for all of us to savor books.
As I wondered how Book talks would work for formats apart from picture books, I witnessed stellar examples of not just one but three novels-Oranges in no man’s land, The Whale Boy, and The Dictionary of lost words. I realized that where there were no images in books, our words held the power to evoke surreal visuals. Another peer’s presentation of Different for Boys, a daring graphic novel that explores teen sexuality and masculinity was so compelling that it became a discussion of its own. In just a few books, we traversed a world of themes, genres, and formats.
Seated cross-legged, leaning in, we listened intently, asking questions to understand the deep connections between the presenters and their books. Our curiosity spanned a wide range of questions. From how they found the book and the emotions it evoked to perceived risks of selecting certain titles.
Each book had left an imprint on its reader and that shone through in their words, expressions, and gestures. And though the practice remained the same, each talk was a striking reflection of the presenter’s unique style, a gateway into their personal journey with the book.
I now see Book talks as an intimate and joyful exchange to celebrate stories that one resonates with while kindling a lasting love for reading in adults and children alike. They offer an opportunity to see stories in new light and discover books we may not stumble upon on our own.
And as for the ingredients that create an inviting Book talk atmosphere? I would say it is perhaps a mix of personal connection, practice, and passionate delivery. A Gazebo though, could be a great add-on!