The Trapped Librarian

Make your library the center of your school

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Topics
    • Books for Kids
    • Bulletin Boards and Displays
    • FUN!
    • Helpful Hints
    • Library Advocacy
    • Life
    • Organize It!
    • School Library
    • Technology
    • TPT
  • Shop
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
You are here: Home / Library Events / 5 Tips for a Fun Book Tasting Event

October 8, 2017 by: Laura

5 Tips for a Fun Book Tasting Event

Last Updated on March 27, 2024 by Laura

Book Tasting Events: 5 tips for your elementary library

You already know that I think library events are important for your school library.  As librarians, our biggest mission is to connect kids with books they will love.  A Book Tasting Event can give your students the opportunity to sample library books they might not otherwise consider in a fun, festive environment.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.  If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support!

You can have a book tasting event at any time of year.  It’s always fun at the beginning of the school year.   Another good time is anytime you may have a shipment of new books.   You may want to consider it at a time when you want to encourage your students to take a look at some titles that are being ignored.  I’ve got 5 tips to help you host a fun, engaging book tasting event in your school library.

1 Build Excitement

Book Tasting Event Sign

Give a hint about what is coming up.  Post signs that say “Book Tasting Event Today” or “Book Tasting Next Week.”  I am fortunate that my library is in the middle of 10 classrooms and we get lots of traffic several times per day.  So when we placed plates of books by our signs, our students started talking about it right away, and would even stop by to ask what was going on.  If your school does morning announcements, you can write up an advertisement to be included in the days preceding your event.

2 Set the stage for Book Tasting

Book Tasting Event Props

Tablecloths, placemats, plates, and battery operated candles will help transform your library into an Italian bistro!  You can find these items inexpensively at a Dollar Store.  I purchased the red checkered tablecloths and clear plates on Amazon and used black, white, and red construction paper for placemats.  Put a book at each place and pile extra books in the middle of the tables.  To help enhance the atmosphere, try the “Italian Cooking Music” channel on Pandora!

3 Dress as a Book Chef!

The Trapped Librarian Book Tasting Event

Wear an apron & hot pads, bring cooking utensils, ham it up!  I purchased an inexpensive chef’s hat and apron on Amazon for book tasting occasions.   This year, my assistant and I wore our hats and aprons & carried our plates of books into the back-to-school assembly and that really made the students curious about what was going on in the library!  Dressing the part can definitely make your Book Tasting event special!

4 Sort your books

Book Tasting Event Table Setting

I usually categorize the books into the basic areas that we have in the library.  Fiction, Nonfiction, Everybody, Biography, Graphic Novels.  Another idea would be to divide your books by genre.  Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humorous Fiction, Mystery, Fantasy, Adventure, etc.  Place signs at your tables indicating the book selection.

5 Offer choice

Book Tasting Event Set Up Nonfiction

The whole purpose of this activity is to get kids excited about books, so I recommend you allow students to choose their seats.  If possible, make sure to set more places than kids in the class so that no one is “stuck” sitting in a last place.  Since there are extra books in the middle of the tables, students can easily trade the one on their plate for something more appetizing to them.  Every time I stopped the music, it was time for students to move to another spot.  I encouraged everyone to try several different tables so they could “taste” a variety of types of books.

Book Tasting Extensions:

  • I used this opportunity to do a quick assessment of my 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade students by creating a menu-like booklet with space for them to fill in the title and call number of two books and tell what they liked best about the books.
  • For my younger students (K-2), we did our book tasting kind of like musical chairs. I played the Italian Cooking Radio music and they could walk around and look at covers, then when the music stopped they could sit in a chair near them and look at the book at that place.
  • Since I was using new books, I didn’t let anyone check out any of the books until every class had an opportunity to do the book tasting, so I let students place holds for books they wanted to check out (our list was soooo long – success!).

I felt guilty putting on the whole restaurant theme without offering any actual food! So on the way out I gave each student a package of smarties that I dished out from a big red bowl!

If you would like a little more help with your next book tasting event, I’ve got the perfect resource for you!! Take a look at my Book Tasting Event Kit in my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

Book Tasting Event Kit

Get more tips for your Book Tasting Event:

Book Tasting tips from The Trapped Librarian

Save this Book Tasting article to read later! Pin this image to your favorite Pinterest board:

Engage your readers with a fun Book Tasting Event in your elementary library or classroom! From dressing up like a chef to creating editable book tasting menus, you will love these 5 tips from the Trapped Librarian. Click through to the blog and start planning your Book Tasting Event today!

And, as always, I’d love to hear about your experience with a Book Tasting Event in your library!  Please share in the comments below!

Be the light!~

  • Bulletin Boards: Use Your Powers for Good!
    7 Tips for a Successful Book Fair

    Comments

    1. Jason says

      May 14, 2019 at 11:11 PM

      Hi Laura,

      Thanks for the great tips! Your ideas made me think of a few other ideas and I thought I would share them with you…
      1. Send classrooms commercials for books that will be in the tastings… Maybe it could be a book trailer?
      2. I’m a K-5 building. I’d love to see former students that have gone to middle school come back and play music for this. It would be cool to see them back and also plug the music program for the middle schools.
      3. It would be fun for students to see teachers/parents/others “serve” the food/books to the plates before actually going and previewing the books.

      Thanks again for your post and I hope this helps your next tasting be even better. 🙂

      • trappedlib says

        July 15, 2019 at 1:06 PM

        These are some great ideas, Jason! Thank you for sharing them!

    2. Lisa says

      May 24, 2019 at 11:05 AM

      I want to send my child to YOUR school!

      • trappedlib says

        July 15, 2019 at 1:07 PM

        You are sweet, Lisa! Thanks!

    3. Fabia says

      October 8, 2021 at 4:09 PM

      I love your ideas I have done book tasting every year.im am buying your ideas to use this week.Thank you again

      • Laura says

        October 25, 2021 at 11:04 AM

        Aren’t book tasting events fun? Thanks for your kind words!

    4. Laura says

      April 8, 2022 at 10:52 AM

      I work for a local county library. I love this unique idea and plan to use it soon.
      Thank you so much.

      • Laura says

        April 15, 2022 at 10:20 AM

        I’m so glad this is helpful for you, Laura! Take care!

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Past Posts

    Categories

    Find it Fast

    Books for Kids Bulletin Boards and Displays Collaboration Distance Learning Freebies FUN! Helpful Hints Inspiration Library Advocacy Library Decor Library Events Library Lessons Library Management Life Organize It! Professional Development Remote Learning Research School Library Seasonal Technology Tech Tips Test Prep TPT Uncategorized

    TPT Shop

    Facebook

    Pinterest

    Instagram

    thetrappedlibrarian

    📚 Elementary School Librarian
    🌟 NBCT 2011
    👩🏻‍🏫 Teacher Author
    Blog: trappedlibrarian.org

    ☀️ This summer, I’m updating my professional ☀️ This summer, I’m updating my professional development series just for school librarians. Whether you’re ready to recharge, reflect, or get inspired for next year, these self-paced trainings are made with YOU in mind—and they’re coming soon!

✅ Starting June 1
✅ Free updates if you already own the bundle
✅ New modules released weekly

Visit the blog to learn more and join the list so you don’t miss the launch (and the discounts!).
>>>>> https://trappedlibrarian.org/professional-development-school-librarians/
    😎 Add some fun to your end of the year library 😎 Add some fun to your end of the year library lessons with these Summer Bookmarks! Your students will love the summer jokes, summer greetings, and cute characters. Encourage summer reading and spread some end of the year fun in your elementary library or classroom.

✅ 12 Summer Jokes
✅ 8 Summer Slogans
⭐️ All in full color
⭐️ All in black and white

🙌 Use in a coloring center or print the colored versions for an end of the year gift! 
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Bookmarks-Summer-Reading-Bookmarks-9514093?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=TL%20Summer%20Bookmarks%20FB
    Still in school?? ☀️ Grab these fun Summer Boo Still in school??
☀️
Grab these fun Summer Bookmarks to send home with your students!

⭐️ 12 jokes
⭐️ 8 greetings

Full color and black & white options included - great for early finishers or a coloring center! OR print the color version for an end of the year gift!

https://bit.ly/3pvncvB
    National Scavenger Hunt Day is May 24.... It's tim National Scavenger Hunt Day is May 24.... It's time to add some adventure to your library or classroom! 🕵️‍♂️
My FREE School Supplies Scavenger Hunt gets little learners exploring with a purpose.
Perfect after book checkout or anytime you need a quick, meaningful activity!

➡️ Get it now at the SmartBio link! 

#ElementaryLibrary #LibraryLessons #LibraryActivities #SchoolLibrarian #KindergartenTeacher #FirstGradeTeacher #TeacherFreebies #ActiveLearning #MovementInTheClassroom #ScavengerHuntFun
    ☀️ 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 ☀️ 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲—and keep kids reading all summer long! 📖 The latest 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 has tips, freebies, booklists, and resources to make it happen.

𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀: 
 ✅ Scavenger Hunt Day ideas
 ✅ LOTS of recommended books
 ✅ Summer-themed activities
 ✅ PD resources to grow your library game

🌞 𝗧𝗮𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼 to read it all! 
 #libraryhelpersnewsletter #schoollibrarians #librariansofig #librariansofinstagram #librarymediaspecialist #schoollibrary #schoollibrarian #elementarylibrary #teacherlibrarian #elementarylibrarian
    📚 Do your library books get lonely sitting on t 📚 Do your library books get lonely sitting on the shelves during the summer break?⁣⁣

😃 Why not let your students check out a few to read while school's out?⁣⁣

✅ This Summer Book Checkout Contract is part of my Summer Reading Kit. ⁣⁣

➡ Grab it here >>>> https://bit.ly/3GKoK9x
    ⭐️ NEW PRODUCT!! ⭐️ Half price for 48 hour ⭐️ NEW PRODUCT!! ⭐️ Half price for 48 hours!
This new Summer Storytime Kit has fun activities for your K-2 classes. Perfect for end of the year library lessons or your summer library program!

✅ Grab it at the lowest price today - link in SmartBio!

#summerreading #elementarylibrary #librarymediaspecialist #elementarylibrarian #schoollibrary #schoollibrarian #tpt #elementarylibraryfun #schoollibrarians #teacherspayteachers
    𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗢!! 🌟 This fun Summer BINGO 𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗢!!

🌟 This fun Summer BINGO challenge is included in my Summer Reading Bulletin Board Activity Kit.

🤩 Grab it and promote summer reading in your classes next week!

➡️ https://bit.ly/3GKoK9x

 #summerreading #elementarylibrary #librariansofinstagram #teacherlibrarian #librarymediaspecialist #elementarylibrarian #schoollibrary #tpt #schoollibrarian #librariansofig #teacherspayteachers #schoollibrarians
    ☀️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 is a double issue for May AND June, so we've added some 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 to see you through to the end, and give you a head start on summer!

💛 You'll find lots of ideas for summer reading, end of the year games, motivating ideas for book returns, and more. 𝗣𝗟𝗨𝗦 20 “𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘆” ideas and a yummy recipe for Lunch Lady Brownies! 

This month I'm sharing some of my best ideas for May and June:
☀️ A value-packed 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲
☀️ A fun 𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻-𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗱 Library Catalog Practice
☀️ My new 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 School Supplies Scavenger Hunt
☀️ 3 forthcoming books to add to your purchase list for next year
☀️ AND a sneak peak into my summer project (𝗕𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗗 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿!)

𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 >>>>> click “𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿” at the link in bio.

 #schoollibrarians #librariansofig #schoollibrarian #schoollibrary #librariansofinstagram #libraryhelpersnewsletter #elementarylibrary #teacherlibrarian #librarymediaspecialist #elementarylibrarian
    Follow on Instagram
    • ABOUT
    • CONTACT
    • Privacy Policy

    © 2025 // Design by Laugh Eat Learn // Theme by Pretty Darn Cute Design