We all want families to read together. Making family memories inspired by books is a beautiful thing. and that is why we started a monthly Family Dinner Book Club five years ago. Reading together does make a difference.
Last year we focused on character strengths and the year before that we traveled the world through books. For the new year, we are going to focus on books to inspire kids to make a difference in the world.
Areas Kids Can Make a Difference
Each quarter we will have a different focus for kids to make a difference in the world.
- Quarter 1: helping animals
- Quarter 2: helping the environment
- Quarter 3: helping others with their basic needs
- Quarter 4: helping kids
We want you and the families that you work with to join us.
If you want a book to inspire kids to get in the mindset of changing the world check out Kids Who Are Changing the World by Sheila Sweeny Higginson.
What is a Family Dinner Book Club?
Each month:
- On the first of each month, we provide all the details for your dinner.
- Sarah from Chef Sarah Elizabeth will share a themed menu to compliment the theme for the month.
- Laura from Sunny Day Family will share an activity.
- And, I will share a book list that compliments the themes plus conversation starters and a family service project idea.
Books for Families
Do you need a holiday gift for a family? Grab a few or all of the books on this list, and you have the perfect holiday gift!
School and Library Connections
I created a letter that you can send home with families introducing the Family Dinner Book Club and inviting families to join in 2019. Click HERE to download, print, and pass out the letter to families.
Also, set up a monthly display in the library featuring the printable booklists and books that go with the theme.
Making a Difference Family Dinner Book Club Line-Up
Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
*We will be sharing an entire book list on each topic about making a difference on the first of each month. You don’t have to read the featured book listed below. You will be able to read any or all of the books on the list. The menu, activity, family service project, and conversation starters will all be centered around the topic of the month.
I’ve tried to select books that would be appropriate for young children as Family Dinner Book Club is geared to families with kids ages 4-8. Each month I’ll be sharing other titles for this age group and will try to include a chapter book selection for families too.
January- Animal Shelters/Rescue Animals
Buddy Unchainedby Daisy Bix is the story of a dog who was not cared for and ended up in a shelter. This doggy has a happy ending and finds a loving home.
SEE THE RESCUE/SHELTER ANIMAL BOOK LIST
February- Whales
The Blue Whale by Jenni Desmond is a non-fiction text that does a neat job of comparing whales to other things to help kids learn about their size to how they move.
March- Bees
UnBeelievables by Douglas Florian is a collection of poems that takes us inside the world of honeybees. The last poem “Where Are the Honeybees” looks at the disappearing honeybee population.
April- Recycle/Precycle
One Plastic Bag is the story of how a group of women took a problem of too much trash and turn into an art that became a money maker.
May- Water
by Rochelle Strauss takes readers on a fascinating look into the water on our planet.
June- Rainforest
The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry is a classic book about the importance of taking care of the rainforest. As a young man snoozes under the Kapok tree, the forest speaks to him about saving their environment.
July- Homelessness
A mother and her daughter are forced to live in their car when mom can’t find steady work in A Shelter in Our Car by Monica Gunning.
SEE THE HOMELESSNESS BOOK LIST
August- Clothing
Sometimes we want the new and shiny thing that all the other kids have, but those are wants vs needs. Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts explores this idea when a young boy is on a mission to get a pair of shoes he really wants.
September- Hunger
Maddi’s Fridge by Lois Brandt is about two friends one of which has very little in her fridge. But, friends always help their friends and Sofia is determined to help fill Maddi’s fridge.
October- Bullying
Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco is the story of a class of kids who are the targets of the mainstream population of the school.
November- Education/Literacy
Beatrice’s Goat by Page McBrier is the story of how a gift of a goat provided a family with enough money to send a child to school plus provide nutrient-rich milk to feed the family.
SEE THE EDUCATION AND LITERACY BOOKS
December- Kids in Crisis
A family is separated while traveling in a boat from Haiti to New York in Calling the Water Drum by LaTisha Redding. A little boy has to learn to live life without his parents in a new country.
All of the fun begins on January 1, 2019. We will have your themed menu, easy activity, conversation starters, and family service project ready for the first way to make a difference on Growing Book by Book, Sunny Day Family, and Chef Sarah Elizabeth. Join our Family Dinner Book Club email notifications to learn when new book clubs are released each month.—>SIGN UP FOR FREE HERE.
Plus, you can follow along and get more ideas at our Family Dinner Book Club Facebook Page where families share pictures of their dinners and we share bonus resources.
Elaine says
I love this! Last year with our summer reading program at the library i shared three of the books from this list. Promoting goodness and awareness needs to be shared with our youth. Thank you. Another flyer for parent contacts.
Cyndi says
I love the Family dinner book club. At what age wOuld you start this activity? thanks
Jodie Rodriguez says
Hi Cyndi, we gear it to be great for ages 4-8, but it can easily be adapted up or down.