Making Book Talk Happen

Create a buzz about books

Reading is not just a skill, it is a doorway to confidence, curiosity and connection. When children read for pleasure, they thrive: their literacy improves, their learning across subjects strengthens and their wellbeing blossoms. But how do we spark that joy? One of the most powerful, and most simple, ways is through informal book talk.

Book talk turns reading into something social and meaningful. It is those everyday conversations where children share what made them laugh, what left them wondering or what they would recommend to a friend. These chats do not need a big stage; they happen at the doorway, during transitions and while browsing shelves. With a few intentional tweaks, you can create a classroom where book talk feels natural and spontaneous.

Why book talk matters

Our research shows reading for pleasure can support both reading and wider literacy, skills, as well as bringing benefits for wellbeing and empathy. Giving children choice across both formats and genres is essential. Peer recommendations and book talk play a significant part in generating enthusiasm for reading.

Our resources

Making book talk happen explores context for book talk, looking at both environment and community to establish informal discussion and peer recommendations, including practical steps to weave this in to classroom practice.

An additional resource, Further ideas to generate book talk provides simple and straightforward ideas you can use with all year groups to encourage a buzz about books across the whole school.

Whether you have 10, 20 or 30 minutes to devote to pupils talking about what they have read, sharing preferences or new reading discoveries, explore our resources to discover flexible ideas you can put into practice straightaway that will promote reading for pleasure in your classroom.