Mercer Project - Chatterbooks

Project objectives

Chatterbooks is one way schools can engage children with reading for pleasure. Chatterbooks offers a flexible approach for schools to use. Typically run in libraries across the UK, a session includes a discussion of what has been read by the group, fun activities based around a theme are included and finally children selected a new book to take home, delivery of sessions is however flexible. For this project Dr. Emma Vardy and Sam Waldron were commissioned by the Reading Agency to explore the Chatterbooks model for key stage 2 pupils (aged 7-11) in 15 schools in the West Midlands. Children reported enjoying reading more, reading more widely and discussing the books they had read with friends. Teachers felt that Chatterbooks model gave the children the opportunity to discuss books they had read with peers, be creative with reading and let the pupils see that reading is not just a 'school thing'. The evaluation identified that access to books, book choice and interest, peer discussions and creative activities are important in enhancing children's engagement with reading. This work has contributed to the Reading Agency receiving funding from the Department for Education to deliver the Chatterbooks model to 200 primary schools nationally.

Find out more about the project on the dedicated website.