The Scholastic Book Fair, a staple of the public education experience, is a hallmark of the literary experience for many young readers. It is a traveling retail book sales experience brought to public schools by book publisher Scholastic. While the book fair may be a cherished event for a certain age bracket, the main draw for many is not the books, but the plethora of knickknacks, pens, pencils, erasers in fun shapes, colors, and even smells. Notepads with secret compartments and pens that write in ink only visible under a black light are just a few of the enticing items ready to divert the attention of young, impulsive shoppers.
One mother, Paris Maelii (@maemaeparis_), shared her experience on TikTok, where she expressed her dismay at her daughter’s purchases from the Scholastic Book Fair. Despite giving her daughter $10, she came back with no books. Instead, she had spent the money on a small heart-shaped notepad and a UV light pen. Maelii’s video, captioned with her refusal to give her money to purchase overpriced school supplies, has sparked a conversation about the changing nature of the Scholastic Book Fair.
Some viewers commented on the video, pointing out that similar items could be purchased for much less elsewhere. Others remarked that the experience was a common one, with many recalling their own childhood memories of being sent to purchase books and returning with everything but.
While the cost of books at the Scholastic Book Fair ranges from $6 to $20 for single books, and up to $40 for box sets and larger books, the appeal of the fair’s non-book items remains strong. Parents may find themselves grappling with the question of whether the Scholastic Book Fair is truly fostering literacy or simply exploiting the impulsive nature of young shoppers.
