Welcome to Scholastic Book Fairs

A Family's Guide

Resources

The Best Books and Developmental Products

A Book Fair creates excitement around books and reading; school supplies, journals, activity kits, and motivational posters help create some of that excitement. Combined with hundreds of award winning books, these developmental products encourage exploration, self-expression, creative problem solving, and other important skills, such as:

School Supplies / Stationary:

•	Creative materials allow children to experience and expand creativity spontaneously. Whether your child is drawing, painting, or doodling, he or she is learning to express themselves.
•	Journaling improves self-awareness, creative problem-solving, active thinking, and written communication.

Activity Kits:

•	A fun approach to learning and creativity. –Stevanne Auerbach, PhD, Dr. Toy
•	Learning is a creative and active process for children. The role of the teacher (and parent) is to provide the appropriate material and setting. Children must play. It is part of their being, and it is how they assimilate and accommodate new information. –Gayle Justynski, Childspan
•	Types of play your child needs: moving around (gross motor play), figuring things out (play that helps cognitive development), and getting messy (playing with fine motor skills). –Playing for Keeps

Educational Activities:

•	Provide an instructive, hands-on learning experience, helping children develop early learning skills through fun, engaging activities.
•	Foster a child’s creativity, role playing, coordination and active exploration.

Software / Multimedia:

•	PopCap Games and The Games for Health Project have released a new study in an effort to show that games can be healthy for developing bright minds. Playing strategy and puzzle titles can challenge the brain and help to push intellectual minds
•	Video games, from Tetris to The Sims, have been shown to raise IQ scores and develop cognitive abilities that can't be learned from books. –Everything Bad is Good for You, by Steven Johnson

Posters:

•	Promote self-expression by providing a way for kids to make visual statements about their feelings, wishes, and dreams.

Aside from the developmental value these products provide, they are also a means to get all children excited about coming to a Book Fair, so they can begin acquiring the all-important reading habit.

		Family Discover the different stages of reading, plus tips for how to choose books with your child at the Book Fair.

		Librarians Instill a love of reading while raising funds! Learn how a Book Fair benefits your students and your school.

		Principals Put more books into students' hands while earning essential funding for your school.

		Teachers Find lesson plans and student activities, prepare a Book Fair Wish List, and build your classroom library.