Book Fairs

[TXmom]

It's time for the spring book fair at ds's school (I worked browsing day last week and showed up for the wrong time - what a nice first impression to make here!). Anyway, I've always wished they wouldn't send the toys and junk along with the books, because of course that's what the kids want. There was more "junk" than I have ever seen this year! Is it this new school, or does it seem like it's getting worse to ya'll, too? I gave ds a check and told him he could spend up to $20 on books to read, but anything else would have to be with his own money. He only has $2, and didn't think he could buy anything with that (I know he can, though, just not the stuff he wants). We use Scholastic, has anyone used another company?

[KarlaB]

We've only used Scholastic. Last year at ds's book fair I also thought there was a lot of "junk" and I was actually surprised by it. I agree and wish they would skip that stuff and stick to the books.

[darlene]

Hi Donna. Our school just finished it's book fair too! While I don't mind the smaller stuff, which at least lets the kids who don't have money to spend buy something(bookmarks/pencils/erasers - all 50 cents each), there was a couple of pens and a stupid little dictionary key chain that were $5 each!
Of course Scholastic is out to make money....they give such good profits after a sale, that I imagine by selling all the junk, it helps cover their costs.
:)

[AnnW]

We don't have much junk at ours, if it's not a book it might be a diary or calendar..but nothing "fun".

[Lynda/WA]

I think it must depend on the region or something. In CA we had little extras like bookmarks, erasers, pencils. Here in WA they have had less of those (can't actually even remember any) but did have some posters. Not enough stuff at either to be a problem. Both were scholastic.

[DavidL]

Pam and I usually chair the bookfairs at our daughters school. We're skipping this next one just because we're extremely busy with work!

The two bookfair companies we use are Troll and Scholastic.

Both companies have lots of the little $.50 cents or less junk. One book fair, we didn't even put that stuff out.

Also, we only let the kids buy the small stuff when their parent's were there.

On a sidenote here.... I'm always the one stuck dressing up as Clifford or Peter Rabbit. Those costumes are HOT during the summer!

[AnnW]

Originally posted by DavidL

On a sidenote here.... I'm always the one stuck dressing up as Clifford or Peter Rabbit. Those costumes are HOT during the summer!

So, have the book fair in the WINTER!!!!!!!!! LOL
I bet you look cute! ;)