The annual Scholastic Book Fair at Catharine Blaine K-8 is already underway and will continue to run through Friday, Oct. 19. The theme of this year's event is "Blizzard of Books," and students and parents can expect a special visit from Clifford the Big Red Dog.
The Book Fair features specially priced books and educational products, among other items. According to volunteer organizer and book fair chairperson Kim Nickerson, students and parents can select from a wide variety of titles, including new releases, award-winners, classics, interactive software and current bestsellers. "Scholastic delivers 12 cases of books, and they're big like airport cases" Nickerson said. "There's a huge selection. We have books for as cheap as $2 apiece, and of course they go right up to $25 and $30."
Nickerson said some of the most popular titles are the Ripley's Believe It Or Not series, the Treehouse books, High School Musical, titles by Carl Hiaasen and Newbery Award-winning books. "You'll certainly see Harry Potter," she added with a laugh.
Along with books, Nickerson pointed out, there will be a supply of "knicky-knacky stuff" like pencils and erasers, as well as sundry schoolroom supplies.
The fair is also a fundraiser, with proceeds going back into the school for various projects. "Our book fair objective this year is to build and renew the classroom library," Nickerson said. "The classroom libraries are whatever books the teachers have in the classroom. Over time those books get well worn, and new titles are coming out, and it's hard for the teachers to replace them. They don't get much money to buy supplies for their classrooms."
There will also be a loose-change collection vessel at points of purchase, and all donated funds will be funneled back to the school. "We can turn around and spend that money at the book fair for kids in need, or purchase books for the library," she said.
And for every dollar that's raised, Scholastic donates a book to support various nonprofit agencies. "In the past, we've raised $1,000," Nickerson said, though the school only raised about $400 last year.
On Friday, Oct. 19, the fair will be visited by Clifford. That night is also the school's Family Skate Night and Bake Sale from 6 to 9 p.m. The cost to skate is $5, with proceeds going to the school's P.E. department, and money raised by the bake sale will benefit the fifth-grade camping trip to Islandwood.
All events are open to the community. Catharine Blaine is at 2550 34th Ave. W. Book Fair hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with additional hours of 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday. For additional information, visit http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/blaine, or email Kim Nickerson at kim@nickerson.com
