PTO Today

Has anyone ever sponsored a book fair other than through Scholastics? Has anyone ever hosted a book fair through an Usborne Books consultant? I know that they can offer up to 50% in free books or 25% in cash. How does this compare to Scholastics or other companies you've dealt with?

Thanks,
Krissi
mrsnewtown@yahoo.com

We are hosting a book fair in a couple weeks with Borders Book store. It's not my favorite because prices are not real kid friendly and the time that were set up are really goofy (I think though that has more to do with the media aide- the cordnator) and on that note, they havn't shared with us what the contract is that was signed.

It's still at our school which is nice. Now Barnes and Noble Bookstore also has a fundraiser and that I think is still done through the retail store verse you school (great for when space was an issue). At that, you earn a percentage of each purchase made by someone with a coupon for your school that they give when they pay. I liked this one because it got us out of the school, teachers could still do wish lists, great cozy reading places for volunteers (ect) to read, and a great staff that AREADY knows were everything is! The more I think here, were could do a familiy night out at a local fast food place at the same time that is in the same shopping center....hhhhhmmmmm.

Sorry...that's what I know. Sorry, I've not heard of the other company.

We have a local book store who will do a book fair & they give a 20% profit but they only operate it a few hours a day & its held for 3 days in a row. They only bring a handful of books to show if you want something different then they will order it for you. I'll stick to Scholastic with a much better selection & the one I held in the fall earned the library over $1000. in cash (30% profit) if our librarian wanted the book profit then she would have had over $2000. in books. Even the teachers & staff prefer Scholastics. Plus Scholastics will give you $125. in free books to be raffled off at your fair for the students. I think their incentives are better. Good luck!

Krissi...

I guess it just depends on what your school is looking for in a book fair. We just finished a Reach for the Stars!! read-a-thon with Usborne and were very happy. We had lots of favorable comments from staff, parents and students.

The biggest advantage that Scholastic has over Usborne is that they carry books from multiple publishers, whereas Usborne is the sole publisher, and many children aren't familiar with their line of books.

If you have any questions, you can email me privately at msconstantine@sbcglobal.net.

Melissa