We are now three days into my 6th Scholastic Book Fair, and this time around, I have to say I am not so impressed. While I have never really loved the Book Fair (it’s alot like having a party for a 6 year old: fun for the kids, but mostly just alot of work for the grown-ups); it’s always been a necessary evil, my bi-annual deal with the devil. Our fair is never big enough to serve as a real fundraiser, but I have always found enough books to keep from it to satisfy basic library needs, like my Garfield and Goosebumps readers. Along with these favorites, Scholastic usually has several good new releases, along with current sports and record books. Especially in these lean times, it’s a deal I’m willing to make.
But as I started looking through this year’s stock, I found myself very disappointed. Most of the usual stand-bys were missing (not a single Garfield to be found, can you believe it?) and what was there was yesterday’s news. No skateboarding trick books, no Bart Simpson, no Shonen Jump. My book-taper gently weeps.
Maybe it’s a refelction on these grey down-trodden times, but this Book Fair seems extra barren. Perhaps fall will be better.
