Loyson Paes, founder of the Parental Bloopers Kids Book Club and a native of Belagavi, has brought together young readers from across the world—many of them from Belagavi itself—around a simple but powerful idea: make reading joyful, visible and celebrated.
In a time when screens dominate childhood leisure, 63 children have shown that the love for books is very much alive. On December 16, the virtual club marked a remarkable milestone—1,000 books read in a single year.
Launched in 2025, the Parental Bloopers Kids Book Club is a family-driven digital initiative that turns everyday reading into shared victories. What began as a WhatsApp group soon evolved into a warm, encouraging community where every finished book is logged, acknowledged and celebrated.
Paes, a learning and development professional based in Hebbal, says the idea was born at home. “I always imagined my children growing up with books,” he says. “My daughter loved reading, but my son preferred play. I wanted to create a space where reading felt exciting, not forced.”
That journey began in 2023, when Loyson, his wife and their two children set themselves a goal of reading 100 books in a year—and achieved it. Buoyed by the experience, they widened the circle in 2024, involving grandparents and raising the target to 150 books. Once again, they delivered.
As Paes shared updates on social media, the idea began to travel. By 2025, parents from different parts of India and abroad started reaching out, asking how they could build similar habits at home. That organic interest led to the formal launch of the Parental Bloopers Kids Book Club, named after Paes’ own book Parental Bloopers, a candid and humorous take on parenting.
The club operates entirely online through a dedicated WhatsApp group. Parents post a photo each time their child completes a book, and Paes responds with a few words of encouragement—“Awesome”, “Brilliant”, “Well done”. Simple gestures, but ones that matter.
“Parents tell me their children wait eagerly for that acknowledgement,” Paes says. “That small moment of recognition keeps them motivated and eager to read the next book.”
The club is open to children between the ages of 2 and 15. Parents who wish to join https://chat.whatsapp.com/DqdfdUcX2NOEs1n6MbQdBF?mode=hqrc can send a WhatsApp message to be added to the group.
Educators agree that the impact of regular reading goes far beyond vocabulary. Children who read early develop stronger language skills, better concentration, richer imagination and a deeper sense of empathy. Most importantly, they grow curious—about stories, people and the world around them.
For Paes, the club has never been about chasing numbers. “It’s about building a reading culture,” he says. “Celebrating small wins. Making learning fun.”
With children spread across countries and time zones, the initiative stands as a reminder that technology doesn’t have to distract—it can also connect, inspire and quietly change habits for the better.