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Excitement of book fair lasts a life time

The learning commons at Byemoor School were awash with noise as students, excited to get their hands on new books, flooded the....
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Mom Maureen Smith brings daughter Tulsa into the Byemoor learning commons on Monday

The learning commons at Byemoor School were awash with noise as students, excited to get their hands on new books, flooded the annual Scholastic Book Fair.

The Bookaneer Book Fair was held on Monday, Nov. 21 and had the largest number of books for sale in recent years, according to school secretary and librarian Linda Kobi.

"We've hosted the book fair annually for – I'd hate to guess how many years," she said. "Thirty at least. It's a great opportunity for kids to go shopping for their own books."

When kids are able to choose their own books, it's a window into their interests, Kobi said.

While "all books are educational," Kobi said that when children are able to choose their own reading material, there's less pressure on them to read. Instead, they enjoy the story and the process.

Books ranged from pre-school ages all the way to adults, with picture books, story books, novellas and novels taking up table after table. Some of the books were part of kits that came with small toys, learning materials and other extras.

Every year, Kobi watches Byemoor School students choose their books and said she sees some patterns.

"Boys really enjoy the hockey and baseball stories," she said. "The superstars, the baseball stars and hockey stars."

One of the students who has bought sports books for several years picked out a book about Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play professional baseball.

"It's the next step," Kobi said.

Girls seem to like the animal stories and adventure stories, Kobi said, but noted that the book fair doesn't stereotype. If girls want sports books, or boys want horse stories, the books are an option for everyone.

"(Kids) are all unique," she said. "It's fun to see what they choose, what their interests are."

The book fair, which lasted one day at the school, was open to the public in the afternoon. Several parents came in with young children, or apart from their school kids in order to pick up possible Christmas presents.

Students had a chance to look ahead of time and bring home a wish list, and parents could come in to buy the books or send money with the student to get the books, Kobi noted.

The profits from the book fair are split with the school, though there's no money changing hands. Instead, Kobi uses the school's credit to buy books for the school's library.

"This is the big fundraiser for our library," she said. "We love our library. We do try to keep new books in, and this is the best way for us to get books."

Scholastic puts together the package of books and other odds and ends and ships it to the school, removing a lot of the pick and choose work from the staff.

"I just say Byemoor School would like to host a book fair. Scholastic puts together a package and sends it," explained Kobi.

The excitement of the book fair brings a smile to Kobi's face every year, she said, and the impact the event has on students lasts a life time.

"My kids, who used to go here years ago, still remember the excitement of a the book fair," Kobi said.