August is a busy time for the Scholastic Book Fair teams who set up carts and carts of books in schools all over the country. Titles for the fall fairs have been selected, and it’s time for the field representatives to learn everything they can about the books so that they can help teachers & librarians find “just right” books for their students. I’m writing in the Charlotte, NC airport right now after spending the past couple days at Scholastic’s Eastern Zone Season Kick-Off meeting, and I’m still swimming in happy book-talk feelings.
I got a sneak peek at the fall Book Fair titles and spotted three of my own books as well as many that I’ve loved as a reader.
And I had the opportunity to speak to the Scholastic Book Fairs team, too. There’s nothing quite like arriving for an early-morning breakfast to find this…
..along with books on every chair.
I got to meet so many members of the Book Fairs team, along with a special guest…
This is Book-Man (aka Mike Weaver, a principal from New Jersey who’s part of Scholastic’s principals’ advisory board.) He’s an incredible advocate for literacy at his school and left me wishing that every school could have a Book-Man in the main office. (Plus, I’ve never had my picture taken with a super-hero before, and that was pretty cool.)
Here’s Robin Hoffman of Scholastic Book Fairs book-talking EYE OF THE STORM before my talk. She did such a great job, she made ME want to read it again. And I already know how it ends.
I was so thankful for the opportunity to spend time with the book fair crew, both here and in St. Louis last week. Growing up in a small town with no bookstore, I was always bursting with anticipation on the day our Scholastic Book Club orders arrived at school. Overnight, it seemed, our classroom was transformed into a bookstore, and it always felt like magic. These days, my books are included in the clubs and fairs, but inside, I’m still very much that ten-year-old kid, and it still feels like magic. Traveling to St. Louis last week and then Charlotte, and meeting the wizards who make it all happen was pretty magical, too. Thanks, Scholastic Book Fairs family, for the warm welcome and for all that you do for readers!
What a thrill! I miss going to the library with my students and turning them loose at the book fair.
The looks on the kids’ faces are the best. So. Many. Books!
Ohhh, thanks for the sneak peek in Scholastic’s cases for fall. We have added you to our “Favorite Authors” study this year. Sounds like you had fun. Does this mean you are featured on Scholastic Book Fairs author video?
It was our pleasure, Kate. You were a wonderful guest and marvelous speaker. Here’s to a successful fall-getting your books, and others, into the hands of kids across the country!
Wonderful, Kate! I can completely relate to the magic of those book fairs and clubs. Growing up, those were the only books we could afford. It was so much fun to choose the ones my mom would buy for me. And, as an adult, to help our boys choose their books when the flyers came home. A complete thrill when one of my books landed in both the fairs and the flyers. You must have been delighted to see several of your books among the shelves . . . and to present to the people who help make all the magic happen.
I don’t remember the book fairs when I was in school, but remember them when my kids were young. Those were great, the kids eyes lit up as they looked at all those books – so many to choose from. As a writer for kids, one of my dreams is to have something I have written at those book fairs some day :o) http://creativewritingintheblackberrypatch.blogspot.com
Just pulled the Scholastic Back-to-School forms from my mailbox. I’m looking forward to this year with Scholastic. I get to introduce my student teacher to the process and help her build her classroom library. The arrival of Book Club orders are always a special event.
Kate-
Are you going to be one of the featured authors? *fingers crossed* Sorry, just realized that might be proprietary info. that you can’t share yet. I hope you are because you deserve the recognition.
Congratulations on your recognitions and awards.
M
I loved this post. I remember book fairs fondly. I would feel butterflies all day until it was my class’ turn to go.