Few things used to beat my excitement for the Scholastic Book Fair at my elementary school. I was an avid reader, so every year my parents gave me $10–$12 to buy a book at the school fair where kids in every class were invited to purchase the newest paperbacks. It’s where I bought my beloved copies of Superfudge and Blubber</em>; and possibly a pencil with a whimsical eraser. I loved the school book fair.
Today, as a parent of two kids who also volunteers at their book fair and holiday parties, I view them through different lenses. Recently, a social media post went viral confirming what I pondered in the back of my mind — are book fairs emotionally harmful to kids who don’t have the financial means to buy the shiny, new books, calendars, and posters being sold? Are book fairs inadvertently identifying students as the “haves” and the “have nots”?
At my kid’s elementary school, some students bought three books and some walked away with a frown because they weren’t given money for the fair. I felt so sad for those kids watching their excited friends buy books while they just stood there. A few of us parent volunteers donated funds to the teacher so those kids could purchase a little something. But what else could be done so every kid can purchase an item at the book fairs, craft fairs, and holiday boutiques many elementary schools host?
“All humans realize, at some point in their life, where they lie on the normal distribution curve of the ‘socioeconomic status,’ and yes, the book fair is probably that defining moment for many young kids,” says Bethany Cook, a licensed clinical psychologist.
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“Schools can have a ‘Scholastic Book Fair fund,’ where all students can earn ‘book fair cash’ by going above and beyond academically, helping around the classroom, or by being a good friend; each school can decide these parameters,” advises Cook. “This helps level the playing field.”
This can also help boost the self-esteem of many students.
Advocates also encourage parents to reach out to their child’s teacher or principal and inquire about Scholastic dollars.
“It’s important for parents to advocate for other free options in their schools. Many times, there are funds to allocate free books for students to take home,” says Dr. Kamilah Hampton, the principal of a Chicago-area elementary school. “There’s an amazing program called Bernie’s Books, which supports these initiatives. In return, my school often receives Scholastic dollars and we set aside funds for students who can’t afford anything from the fair.”
Additionally, Hampton advises that schools should work with Scholastic to identify ways to support families seeking book fair funds, “such as providing them with a certain amount of Scholastic dollars based on need. Educators can possibly pose a small application to display student needs and or recommendations from the school.”
Most important, Cook reminds parents not to be so hard on themselves.
“Your value as a person is not defined by how much money you spend or how many ‘things’ you can buy,” Cook added.
