The countdown is ON to the best day of the year—and everything you need to know to host the Fair is right here. Your Kick-off Kit arrives a few weeks before the Fair begins, but feel free to get a jump-start on your planning at any time. Get ready to roll!
Before the Fair
3, 2, 1…Book Fair!
Essential to-dos
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Confirm your Fair dates.
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Make sure all students can participate.
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Schedule teacher and student previews.
Join the group: Swap ideas and advice with other Fair organizers in our private Facebook group.
Quick links
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Learning Lab (your one-stop shop for Fairs info)
First steps
How do you get ready to host your school's Fair? Begin at the beginning: HERE!
Prepare for the Fair
Make it official by accepting your Services Agreement and confirming your school’s Fair dates. Next, you’ll want to:
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Schedule a planning call and keep your eyes peeled for your Kick-off Kit.
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Watch helpful explainer videos in the Learning Lab.
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Rally a team of volunteers.
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Set your financial goal and customize your homepage.
Make sure every student can participate
Every kid deserves the Fair! Help every student in your community experience the excitement of choosing their own books—even if they can't attend the Fair or afford new books.
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Encourage Share the Fair contributions at checkout.
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Set up a Book Fair eWallet for friends and family to fund.
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Use a portion of the Scholastic Dollars™ you earn to buy books for kids.
Promote the Fair
Whether you’re a first-time Fair organizer or an experienced host, the resources in the Promo Guide make promoting your school’s Book Fair easier than ever.
Spread the word
Now’s the time to tell everyone: Book Fair fun’s about to drop!
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Share your school’s Fair homepage with families and teachers.
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Personalize and send the letter from your principal.
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Post save-the-date announcements in your school’s social media channels and newsletter.
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Hang signs around campus and update your school marquee.
Hype the books
Make sure everyone knows what’s waiting at the Fair: kids’ favorite characters, bestsellers, new releases, and books they won’t find anywhere else.
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Send printed booklists home with kids and share digital booklists with families.
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Broadcast book trailers to give students a sneak peek of the books at the Fair.
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Ask teachers and staff to read book blurbs that can be shared during student previews.
Talk up eWallet
Encourage families and teachers to set up an eWallet for worry-free, cash-free purchases for their kids and classrooms.
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Promote eWallet on social media with ready-made posts.
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Send the eWallet flyer home with kids.
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Invite teachers to create a classroom eWallet.
Plan events and activities
Get everybody geared up to shop the Fair when you prep sneak peeks, family events, and special activities.
Organize a teacher preview
Invite teachers to preview the Fair before it opens for the kids. This teachers-only event helps them stock their classroom libraries with new books.
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Distribute coupons teachers can use to shop the Fair (not available for Tabletop Fairs).
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Encourage them to create a Teacher Wish List so shoppers can donate specific books to classroom libraries.
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Ask teachers to fill out shelf-talkers with their book recommendations.
Arrange student previews
Give kids a chance to browse the Fair and make a wish list before it’s time to shop.
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Create a sign-up schedule where teachers can reserve a time slot for their class.
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Welcome each class after the Fair is set up and distribute student wish lists on clipboards with pencils.
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Send wish lists home with kids with a reminder to families to create their eWallet.
Amp up the vibe
Stir up more Book Fair fun by planning community-wide activities and family events to build excitement.
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Organize contests and activities to get kids pumped about the Book Fair.
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Plan a Family event when students can invite their family (remind them to include the grandparents!) and friends.
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Encourage parents and caregivers to visit the Fair by hosting special events just for them.
Get bonus rewards
Earn 200 bonus Scholastic Dollars for completing this season’s reward activities.
