Comments on: Another alternative to the Scholastic book fair http://www.parentsforethicalmarketing.org/blog/2009/02/04/another-alternative-to-the-scholastic-book-fair/ Blog of Parents for Ethical Marketing Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:07:12 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Ann http://www.parentsforethicalmarketing.org/blog/2009/02/04/another-alternative-to-the-scholastic-book-fair/comment-page-1/#comment-2169 Ann Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:43:10 +0000 http://www.parentsforethicalmarketing.org/blog/2009/02/04/another-alternative-to-the-scholastic-book-fair/#comment-2169 Consider an Usborne book fair. Consider an Usborne book fair.

]]> By: Lisa @ Corporate Babysitter http://www.parentsforethicalmarketing.org/blog/2009/02/04/another-alternative-to-the-scholastic-book-fair/comment-page-1/#comment-2099 Lisa @ Corporate Babysitter Sun, 19 Jul 2009 19:19:08 +0000 http://www.parentsforethicalmarketing.org/blog/2009/02/04/another-alternative-to-the-scholastic-book-fair/#comment-2099 Renee, I really hope you've shared your story with <a href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/621/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26599" rel="nofollow">Campaign for a Commerical-Free Childhood</a>. Renee, I really hope you’ve shared your story with Campaign for a Commerical-Free Childhood.

]]> By: Rene http://www.parentsforethicalmarketing.org/blog/2009/02/04/another-alternative-to-the-scholastic-book-fair/comment-page-1/#comment-2098 Rene Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:09:16 +0000 http://www.parentsforethicalmarketing.org/blog/2009/02/04/another-alternative-to-the-scholastic-book-fair/#comment-2098 As a former SBF employee, I agree with the original poster. SBF offers very little in the way of good, classic children's literature and a lot in the way of junk/cartoon character books. There are many, many outstanding children's books out there, but SBF has turned away from them. I am a former employee for a reason. As a book lover, reader and a hard worker, I was very much disillusioned working for them. As a former SBF employee, I agree with the original poster. SBF offers very little in the way of good, classic children’s literature and a lot in the way of junk/cartoon character books. There are many, many outstanding children’s books out there, but SBF has turned away from them. I am a former employee for a reason. As a book lover, reader and a hard worker, I was very much disillusioned working for them.

]]> By: Julie Merriam http://www.parentsforethicalmarketing.org/blog/2009/02/04/another-alternative-to-the-scholastic-book-fair/comment-page-1/#comment-1975 Julie Merriam Mon, 04 May 2009 17:02:06 +0000 http://www.parentsforethicalmarketing.org/blog/2009/02/04/another-alternative-to-the-scholastic-book-fair/#comment-1975 I have been hosting book fairs at our school for over 20 years. We have used sveral different vendors, including private local book stores and Christian Book Clubs. Scholastic is the best in terms of selection, quality, and service. Yes, there is a lot of "junk". We have students "preview" the fair and make a list of items they wish to purchase. During the preview I do not display any of what I call "toys": pencils, erasers, stickers etc. In my opinion, they are grossly overpriced and the quality is poor. We require students under age 10 to have parent approval to make purchases. We host a family event to encourage parents to attend with their children.As far as cartoon books, I don't have a problem with them. If a book excites interest and the desire to read, I'm all for it. I have been hosting book fairs at our school for over 20 years. We have used sveral different vendors, including private local book stores and Christian Book Clubs. Scholastic is the best in terms of selection, quality, and service. Yes, there is a lot of “junk”. We have students “preview” the fair and make a list of items they wish to purchase. During the preview I do not display any of what I call “toys”: pencils, erasers, stickers etc. In my opinion, they are grossly overpriced and the quality is poor. We require students under age 10 to have parent approval to make purchases. We host a family event to encourage parents to attend with their children.As far as cartoon books, I don’t have a problem with them. If a book excites interest and the desire to read, I’m all for it.

]]> By: Kathryn http://www.parentsforethicalmarketing.org/blog/2009/02/04/another-alternative-to-the-scholastic-book-fair/comment-page-1/#comment-1934 Kathryn Fri, 13 Mar 2009 21:47:01 +0000 http://www.parentsforethicalmarketing.org/blog/2009/02/04/another-alternative-to-the-scholastic-book-fair/#comment-1934 I just wrapped up our Spring Fair... 2 hours ago. We raised $2K (in cash - we're not limited for our library AND pulled $700 of books straight of the shelves to be added to the school library. Given the current state of our economy and the wholesale slashing going on by the county, this funding is crucial. I'm a parent volunteer and I go back and forth on the tv/movie based books. My son has been slow to learn to read and frankly I'm thrilled to see him read a Cars book but I'm also careful to read better stories to him. We edit the offerings to remove most of the toys. We do leave out art/science activity items. We're leaning toward only offering non-book items at our Fall Fair, and only on the night that parents shop with their kids so they can decide. For our spring Fair, we'll probably not offer any thing but books and art/science activities. We also honor ANY note sent in by a parent regarding how kids should spend the money they send in. In fact, if a child comes in with money but no note, we (the volunteer moms) pretty much talk them out of any junk in favor of a book. Staff and volunteers have total control over what gets sold. What's more - parents get to decide whether or not to send their kids with money. Don't like it? Don't sell it and don't buy it. I just wrapped up our Spring Fair… 2 hours ago. We raised $2K (in cash – we’re not limited for our library AND pulled $700 of books straight of the shelves to be added to the school library. Given the current state of our economy and the wholesale slashing going on by the county, this funding is crucial.

I’m a parent volunteer and I go back and forth on the tv/movie based books. My son has been slow to learn to read and frankly I’m thrilled to see him read a Cars book but I’m also careful to read better stories to him.

We edit the offerings to remove most of the toys. We do leave out art/science activity items. We’re leaning toward only offering non-book items at our Fall Fair, and only on the night that parents shop with their kids so they can decide. For our spring Fair, we’ll probably not offer any thing but books and art/science activities.

We also honor ANY note sent in by a parent regarding how kids should spend the money they send in. In fact, if a child comes in with money but no note, we (the volunteer moms) pretty much talk them out of any junk in favor of a book.

Staff and volunteers have total control over what gets sold. What’s more – parents get to decide whether or not to send their kids with money. Don’t like it? Don’t sell it and don’t buy it.

]]> By: Mom http://www.parentsforethicalmarketing.org/blog/2009/02/04/another-alternative-to-the-scholastic-book-fair/comment-page-1/#comment-1933 Mom Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:07:11 +0000 http://www.parentsforethicalmarketing.org/blog/2009/02/04/another-alternative-to-the-scholastic-book-fair/#comment-1933 Is it also irresponsible for a company such as Scholastic to continue to increase the amount of books with junk attached or regurgitated formula character books (seriously - read some of the character series. They're all the same except the character is playing a slightly different role in each) at the cost of other books that generally incorporate morals, stimulate the imagination with unusual storylines or take the child to a different culture? Children like flashy things. Would it be irresponsible of a cafeteria that had the choice between serving a side salad or serving a side of potato chips and a trinket specially chosen to grab kids' interest? You can argue that potato chips are not nutritious and salad is so this is not related, but the issue is not typical literary character books, such as Clifford or Curious George, the issue is books of non-literary characters, where the book is just part of the broader merchandise spectrum and the impact it has on the child's early consumer development. I think we all know how important this is, especially lately. Is it also irresponsible for a company such as Scholastic to continue to increase the amount of books with junk attached or regurgitated formula character books (seriously – read some of the character series. They’re all the same except the character is playing a slightly different role in each) at the cost of other books that generally incorporate morals, stimulate the imagination with unusual storylines or take the child to a different culture? Children like flashy things. Would it be irresponsible of a cafeteria that had the choice between serving a side salad or serving a side of potato chips and a trinket specially chosen to grab kids’ interest? You can argue that potato chips are not nutritious and salad is so this is not related, but the issue is not typical literary character books, such as Clifford or Curious George, the issue is books of non-literary characters, where the book is just part of the broader merchandise spectrum and the impact it has on the child’s early consumer development. I think we all know how important this is, especially lately.

]]>