Getting the little ones out the door and off to school can be a challenge at the best of times. But for parents of students in Kindergarten, and Grades 1 and 2 at David Lloyd George Elementary, students are eager to get to school early.

In January, David Lloyd George Elementary began running a Breakfast Book Club and, less than a year later, Tuesday mornings now have the school library full of eager readers and parents.

"We've had very good participation to date," says Maureen McDonnell, Vice-Principal at David Lloyd George. "We normally see more than 30 parents and students per grade every Tuesday. We have a wonderful parent community here."

"It's the highlight of her week," says Say Neil, the parent of a David Lloyd George student. "She gets so excited about reading now, and she looks forward to this all week long. It's been a very positive experience for both of us."

When asked how many books she's read this morning, Neil's daughter Maya is quick to answer, "Four, but I usually read more!"

The purpose of the book club is to promote family literacy in the primary grades. Parents are invited to come with their child to read in the school library while enjoying a light breakfast, which includes fruit, juice for the students, coffee and tea for the parents, and home baked muffins-baked by parent volunteer Rubina Diaz.  

"Research shows that the best way to help your child succeed is to read with your child. Kids whose parents read to them do better at school," says McDonnell. "What we are doing is very simple: get the parents into the school and read with their child."

The Breakfast Book Club is funded with a grant from Breakfast For Learning.

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