Totally Booktastic Club: Peer-Led Storytelling for Kids
Watch as older children step into the spotlight, narrating stories to younger peers. This screen-free club builds confidence and empathy through the simple magic of shared books.
An overview of our Totally Booktastic Club in action. Here, older children are reading a picture book aloud, using expressive voices and showing the illustrations to a captivated group of younger kids.
A wide shot of the storytelling session, showing the young readers on their 'stage' and the audience of little ones sitting attentively on the floor. This program fosters leadership and mentorship.
Another view of our young storytellers presenting 'Pete the Cat'. They work as a team to narrate the story, building their confidence and public speaking skills in a supportive environment.
The camera focuses on the audience of young children, their eyes wide with wonder as they listen to the story. The interactive nature of the reading keeps them fully engaged from start to finish.
After the story, the readers lead a fun question and answer session. This part of the club helps reinforce the story's message and encourages critical thinking and participation from everyone.
An activity following a reading of 'Silly Soccer'. The young author of the book leads the other children in a fun, story-related game, making the experience even more interactive.
A heartwarming moment between the young author of 'Silly Soccer' and one of the youngest members of the audience. This club creates beautiful connections between children of different ages.
A wonderful group photo of all the participants from the 'Silly Soccer' book reading session. It's a celebration of reading, creativity, and community.
I'm so proud of these two young storytellers. This photo was taken after their successful session, where they captivated the audience with the story of 'Princess Easy Peasy'.
About Totally Booktastic Club
It is incredible to see our 7-to-10-year-olds take the lead here. During each session, they do not just read aloud; they facilitate the entire flow, from handling puppets to leading the post-story Q&A. We see the younger audience stay glued to the action, proving that kids often connect best with other kids, making this more than just a reading hour—it is a confidence-building circle.
At our Vikhroli studio, we believe that children are the best narrators for their own peers. The Totally Booktastic Club was born from a simple observation: when an older child reads to a younger one, a unique bond forms. The older kids practice their public speaking, voice modulation, and stage presence, while the younger ones are captivated, learning that reading is a social, high-energy activity rather than a solitary task.
How Our Sessions Work
Every session is kept intimate to ensure everyone gets a turn to shine. We focus on:
- Peer Mentorship: The 7-to-10-year-olds choose their favorite books and prepare them, turning reading into a performance.
- Interactive Q&A: We wrap up every story with a discussion. It is the best part of the day, watching a 3-year-old try to answer a question posed by an older student.
- Screen-Free Engagement: No digital devices. Just books, puppets, and the joy of talking to one another.
We focus on vocabulary building, expressing emotions, and learning to hold an audience’s attention. By the time a child finishes a session, they walk away with a little more courage to speak their mind. Whether your child is the one holding the book or the one listening on our foam mats, they are part of a vibrant, growing community of story lovers.
Wondershop
We started Wondershop because we saw how much joy kids get from creating and sharing stories. Here, we help children find their voice, whether they are the ones reading from the book or the little ones listening with wide eyes.
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