Why You Should Support Your Child's School Book Fair

Some love it, some dread it. The book fair. Many schools, both public and private, participate in book fairs each year, with Scholastic Book Fairs being the most popular. While some parents look forward to the book fair for an opportunity for their child to purchase a book or two, many parents and teachers dread having to fork over money for items and deal with the "extras" including lighted pencils, smelly erasers, posters, and other "stuff." Here are some solid reasons why you as a parent should support your child's book fair.

Value. Compared to many other fundraisers, book fairs offer a decent value for the money spent. Dozens of great, full color paperback books are available for $3.99 or $4.99. Scholastic book fairs also always send a selection of "bargain books" with books for as little as $1.00. Even the junky stuff offers some cheapies with plastic book marks and erasers for $0.50.

Product. Unlike school fundraisers that force you or your child to ask others for money, the book fair is an "in house" school fundraiser where students spend their own, or more likely, their parents' money on themselves. There is no solicitation for sponsors or donations required. When students spend their money at the book fair they are able to get a book, a quality item from a quality publisher, unlike the prizes offered through many other school fundraising options.

Fundraising. Book fairs are one of the best ways for schools to raise funds. Not only do book fairs promote literacy, but they also offer a great return for the time invested. Schools can earn up to 60% of the profit from their book fair. This profit can be spent on a huge variety of items from classroom supplies to office supplies to technology and, of course, high-quality books. Book fair companies are very easy to work with and offer many incentives for schools to get started with the program. Basically schools just need to do a little promotion, sell the items, and then reap the rewards.

So the next time you get a note from your child letting you know the book fair is coming, don't groan! Sure, the book fair may be another expense, but the expense does a lot of good for your child's school and goes toward a high-quality book that just might be the one to turn your child into a reader for life.