Previews, Events, and Activities

Everybody In!

Amp up the Bookjoy and bring everyone in your school community to the Fair when you host Fair previews, family events, and other activities.

Teacher Previews

Invite teachers to browse after the Fair is set up. This kids-free sneak peek gives them a chance to choose the books they want to add to their classroom libraries. And once they’re familiar with the Fair, teachers can help students find the books they’ll love. 

During the teacher preview: 

• Encourage them to create a Teacher Wish List, so students’ families can donate to help stock classroom shelves.
• Ask teachers to fill out shelf-talkers recommending their favourite books.
• Kick off the Preview with a Booktalk to help to inspire independent reading.
• Host a scavenger hunt activity—an easy and fun way to get staff to discover books and explore your Fair!

Student Previews

Invite each class to visit the Book Fair before they shop. Student previews give kids a chance to explore the Fair and create wish lists to share with their families. When the time comes to shop, the kids know what they want!

• Print and hand out student wish lists for kids to fill in.
• Point out shelf-talkers and teacher-recommended books.
• Share book resources like book trailers to hype the books.

Family Events

Boost participation at your Book Fair when you host a family event during Fair week. Grown-ups get to see their child’s Bookjoy up close, and kids get to show off the books they can’t wait to read. Invite families to shop with their kids during morning drop-off, parent-teacher night, or an after-school shindig.

Make it an event to remember when you:

• arrange photo ops to preserve precious memories,
• serve delicious, healthy snacks,
• invite your principal to greet families,
• and schedule fun activities like raffles and games.

Get kids hyped for the Fair with Storyvoice, the digital platform where popular authors and illustrators read aloud to your students. Storyvoice hosts FREE weekly live read-aloud events, and when you host a Fair, your school gets exclusive benefits.

• Take your students behind the scenes with authors before live events.
• Listen for shout-outs to your school from the host or author during the show.
• Participate in a live conversation with the author.

Keep reading front and centre in the days and weeks leading up to the Fair when you:

• Use Scholastic Dollars to reward students with books when they get “caught reading.”
• Host a reading-themed spirit week.
• Organize a principal-faculty challenge, such as “a funny dance routine at a school assembly” or “slime the principal” to meet your Fair’s goal.
• Plan easy, engaging contests—like door-decorating contests—to get kids pumped about the Fair.