Record book fair sales at Sidney Street School in Maple Creek

Look what I got: Owyn Hasfjord was delighted with his purchases at Sidney Street School’s Scholastic Book Fair, which drew lots of people to the library last week. PHOTO BY MARCUS DAY

Maple Creek News

Sales at Sidney Street School’s Scholastic Book Fair last Wednesday and Thursday totalled a record $6,257.50.

The amount delighted librarians Debbie Fitterer and Betty Sullivan, who had devoted lots of time to decorating the library in Halloween colours and images,  hoping to ccreate a welcoming environment for students and families.

What they witnessed were countless young faces lit up by bookcases and book-laden tables bearing such signs as “Great Gifts”, “Fair Favourites” and “Get The Facts”.

For two days, Sidney Street School classes, from kindergarten to Grade 5, came to the fair., while the general public were invited to browse between 6pm and 8pm on Wednesday. What caught the eye?

Dinosaurs, cows, rocks, and stones were.popular book themes, and journals also attracted plenty of attention.

The selections – and the enduring appeal of the fair – suggest that books still play a big role in children’s development, driving creativity and personal growth; they remain integral to the cognitive toolkit.

The Scholastic Book Fair, open to everyone, is held twice a year – at the end of October and March – and is an important fundraiser for more books, which are aimed at pre-schoolers to Grade 6 children. Items likes bookmarks and pencils are also available.