Paris Independent School District

Aikin Elementary recently transformed its library into a cozy café for its annual Book Tasting event, giving students the chance to “sample” a variety of books and discover new reading favorites.
This year, the popular event was held in the fall instead of the spring, allowing students more time to explore the books they discovered during their tasting throughout the school year.
During the literary tasting, students rotated through two different “menu selections” during their 20-minute sessions, where they were served by volunteers and staff members. Each table offered a different genre or author, giving students a flavorful mix of options to explore.
This year’s featured menu included:
•    Insects
•    Construction
•    Music
•    Sports
•    Books by Ryan T. Higgins
•    Books by Mo Willems
Aikin librarian Melanie Loughmiller said the event is one students eagerly anticipate each year. “We want reading to feel like an adventure,” Loughmiller shared. “The book tasting gives students a fun way to explore new genres and authors—and hopefully find something that really captures their imagination.”
The Taste of Reading event continues to be a highlight of the year at Aikin Elementary, inspiring students to dive into new books long after the last page is turned.