Austin Road and Fulmar Road elementary schools’ librarian Rosemarie Sfikas hosted an exciting event that brought literature to life for Mahopac fourth and fifth graders. The Book Tasting program allowed the readers to explore literary genres in a fun and interactive way.
The concept behind the event was simple yet impactful. Students “tasted” different genres, ranging from mysteries and fantasy to historical fiction and graphic novels. The students moved from one “tasting station” to another, selecting a book and reading the first few pages, immersing themselves in the tone, setting and style of each genre.
“It was so nice seeing students try out new books that they would not typically choose,” Sfikas said. “After I demonstrated what a tasting looked like and gave a three-minute preview of a book with one class, a student quickly raised their hand and shouted, ‘Can I borrow that book, it sounds great!’ For a school librarian, that was a beautiful moment.”
The Book Tasting program aimed to introduce students to genres they may not have otherwise picked up, broadening their literary horizons and helping them discover new interests. Many students who typically enjoy action-packed adventures were surprised to find themselves captivated by the suspenseful twists of a mystery novel or the imaginative worlds of fantasy. Others were drawn to the heartwarming stories of realistic fiction or the thought-provoking themes of science fiction.
The event not only encouraged students to try something new, but it also sparked meaningful conversations among peers about their favorite books and authors. Sfikas provided each student with a “tasting menu” where they could reflect on their impressions of each genre and which books they were interested in exploring further. The students left the Book Tasting with a list of books they couldn’t wait to dive into – ready to explore new literary tastes and savor every page.
Librarian Maria Bohan reported that Lakeview Elementary School’s Book Tasting is scheduled for February and that all grade levels will participate.
