Book fair breathes magic into school library

SANDPOINT — When kids enter the library at Farmin Stidwell Elementary School, it’s usually with eyes wide and the sounds of “oooh” and aaah” on their lips. To be sure, part of that reaction might be due to their love of reading and the fact that the library is well stocked and filled with comfy places to tuck your nose into a title and settle in.

 But beyond that, for a couple months out of the school year, each trip to the library includes a chance for students to enter a whole, new world.

This month, it involves a walk along a carnival midway — realistic enough that you almost expect to hear carnival barkers calling out from booths along your way. The door to the library takes you under the big top, with colorful streamers and painted balloons leading the way.

This transformation, which happens twice a year, takes place at the talented hands of the Farmin Stidwell PTA as part of the book fair fundraisers held in conjunction with Scholastic, a national distributor of children’s books. Although Scholastic provides various themes and design ideas, the school’s PTA book fair committee members and the librarian go above, beyond and just plain overboard when it comes to creating a fun environment for young readers.

Before the library was a carnival it was a big red barn. Prior to that, it had doubled as a rainforest, a classic diner, a Hollywood movie stage, a polar ice cap and a safari scene. As if the expertly

created sets and props weren’t enough, the committee members staff the book fair in costume, dressed to the nines as characters that drop right into each new theme.

“In the end, it’s the creativity that brings it all alive,” said PTA vice president Daranee Humrich, who added that there is never a shortage of ideas among this particular group of ladies. “In some cases, you only need one cook. But in our case, we all cook very well together.”

The school holds two “event” book fairs each year, as well as one end-of-the-year fair. Perhaps because its student population — Farmin Stidwell has more than 600 students — the school has managed to top sales figures for all of North Idaho. Still, there has to be something else going on, since reading statistics also have skyrocketed there.

“The numbers we’re seeing as far as how much children are reading are astounding at our school,” said PTA president Judith Anderson, who explained that at least one book fair is held in conjunction with a Read-A-Thon program that charts the amount of time kids in different classes spend reading.

According to PTA member Tobi Cornell, the quantity and academic quality of reading at Farmin Stidwell have continued to improve.

“I think we’re going to hit a record number of top-level readers this year,” she said.

Much of that improvement can be attributed to the colorful gift wrap — tied up with a bow of the often zany and always fun ideas supplied by the committee behind each book fair — that packages the events.

“We love book fair, because it generates excitement with the kids from the time they first see it going up on the wall,” Anderson said.

The attraction is magnified by the committee’s supporting events — all designed to increase awareness of the school library in particular and reading in general — that include before-school gatherings such as Muffins with Mom and Doughnuts with Dad, where coffee and baked goods are provided for parents who accompany their proud children on a special visit to school.

“On those days, we have lines out of the library door and all the way down the hall to the office,” said librarian Trina Prindiville. “It’s heartwarming.”

To complement Farmin Stidwell’s family night, the library hosts Bingo for Books the same evening, bringing additional people to the school and into the library to win books, posters and gift certificates to local businesses that donate to the event.

Several local businesses — including Jalapeno’s, Coldwater Creek, Sharon’s Hallmark, MickDuff’s, Super 1 Foods, Wal-Mart and The Garden Company — support the event through the donation of gift baskets and prizes.

Preparation for the book fair starts about six weeks before opening day, with the actual artwork created during the days just prior to the event. While PTA officers and committee members determine the theme, it is the handiwork of artist Annie Van Corbach that realizes the final vision. With the help of PTA volunteers, her initial stack of colored construction paper, poster paints and miscellaneous art supplies miraculously turns the external walls and windows of the library into something magic.

“It takes about two weeks and I just handle it while I’m here at school,” said Van Corbach. “It’s not so bad.”

The book fair averages gross sales of about $8,000 per event, 25 percent of which goes back to the library for the purchase of new reading materials, replacement books and kids’ magazine subscriptions. The PTA also uses part of the funds to give library gift certificates to teachers so they can stock up on classroom books in the current environment of eviscerated funding for education.

“Because our budgets have been cut so much, the book fair helps to supplement those programs,” Prindiville said.

Book selection spans the entire K-6 age spectrum at the fairs, with additional, school-appropriate titles on hand for parents and grandparents attending the sales. Displayed among the racks of books are “special value” titles ranging from $1-$5, giving all students an opportunity to find something affordable. The library also participates in a separate program called One for Books, where each dollar spent is matched by Scholastic with a book that is then donated to Marine Corps Toys for Tots, the Kids in Need Foundation and an organization called Kids in Distress.

Last year, Farmin Stidwell raised $1,180 during One for Books, resulting in 1,180 books going to those charitable organizations.

“Aside from making money for the school library, we want to put books into the hands of kids,” Cornell said.

“That’s the real priority,” Prindiville agreed. “We want kids to love to read.”

Which brings up a crucial question: With all of the video games, e-readers and computers in their lives, are books still important to kids?

“Yes! Books rock!” Humrich enthused. “You just have to find a subject kids love and steer them that way — and then they’re gone.”

“On a rainy day, there’s still nothing like curling up with a nice blanket to read,” said Prindiville. “There’s just something about the look and feel — even the smell — of a book.”

The Farmin Stidwell Elementary School book fair, which is open to the public, runs through this Friday, March 18. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Information: www.fs.lposd.org