Seasonal Ideas - Book Fair     Spring 1998

About the Children's Department

resources for effective children's ministry

SEASONAL IDEA

    It won't be long and school will be out for the summer, so now is a great time to plan and hold a Book Fair at your church to help parents find some excellent resources for their kids to utilize throughout the summer! The following schedule should help you plan a Book Fair.

  • Two Months Before
    • pick a date and get on it on the calendar
      • I have found Sundays, before and after the services has worked very well
    • recruit one or two people to help select books for the fair and to help during the sale
      • the church librarian is usually quite willing to help or to recommend someone who would help
    • begin to promote
    • go to your area Christian Book Store and talk with the store manager about the Book Fair. Most stores will give you a 20% discount - you may use it as a fund raiser or pass the savings on to your church families. The manager will help you select the books for your fair and have them boxed and ready for you to pick up a few days before your sale.

  • One Month Before
    • continue to promote

  • One or Two Days Before
    • pick the books up and take to your church to set up for the Book Fair

  • Day of
    • help people select books
    • turn all money in to the treasurer and request a check for the Bookstore
    • box up remaining books

  • Day or two after
    • return books to store

    There are so many excellent resources for all ages to include in a Book Fair. I would recommend any of the Bibles reviewed in this edition of "About the Children's Department" - I would also recommend the following books.

  • Helpful Hal's Treasury of Christian Virtues

    • Author - Michael P. Waite
    Publisher - Chariot House Publishing
    List Price - $16.99
    Recommended for children ages 4 through 7

        This book combines 12 books into one book. When my children were little these were individual books and I found them to be some of the very best children's book I had ever used! In "Sir Maggy the Mighty" children learn about obeying , "Buzzle Billy" will help your child to learn about sharing and "Sylvester the Jester" teaches a very important lesson about accepting others. My favorite is "Handy Dandy Helpful Hal" - the pooped out parents perfect pal as he helps kids learn to help! These books are very colorful, do not have a lot of words on a page - this helps keep young children's attention - and have interesting characters.

    • Favorite Features
      • includes all 12 stories in one book
      • colorful illustrations
      • creative illustrations
      • each story teaches important lessons
      • includes a verse with each story
      • cleaver, creative stories

        I highly recommend this book as a must have for every parent and Early Childhood classroom. Extremely well done Michael and Chariot!

  • My Bible Coloring Book

    • Author - Shirley Dobson
    Publisher - Gospel Light
    List Price - $4.99
    recommended for children ages 3 - 8

        This coloring book would make a fun addition to your Book Fair. It has 119 coloring pages that allows children to color their way through the Bible - Genesis through Revelation.

    • Favorite Features
      • Scripture reference for each coloring page
      • coloring pages focus on teaching God's plan to show His love for us throughout the Bible
      • information on how to become a member of God's family
      • information on how to live as God's child

        I recommend this coloring book as an excellent resource for children. Well done Shirley and Gospel Light!

  • Animal Alphabet

    • Author - Mary Rice Hopkins and Chuck Ingolia
    Illustrator - Wendy Francisco
    Publisher - Crossway Books
    List Price - $12.99
    recommended for children ages 3 through 5

        This delightful book for young children will help them not only learn their ABC's, but will also create an awe and amazement in the wonder of God's fabulous creation as each page in this book features one creature, one letter of the alphabet and a short verse from the Bible. A free cassette is included with this book that features Mary Rice Hopkins singing the Alphabet song - which will also help children learn their ABC's in a very fun and non-threatening way!

    • Favorite Features
      • beautiful illustrations will capture children's attention
      • song that goes along with book will help children learn their ABC's
      • simple Bible verse for each letter of the alphabet

        I highly recommend this book as a must have book for families with young children. It is the best ABC book I have seen and I really like that it ties the animals in with the wonder of God's creation and His love for us. Extremely well done Mary, Chuck, Wendy and Crossway!

  • Truth Quest

    • Author - Tad Hardy
    Publisher - Chariot House Publishing
    List Price - $5.99
    recommended for children ages 8 - 12

        There are three books in this series that take young readers on exciting trips around the world while learning about wisdom, unselfishness and faith.

    • Favorite Features
      • interesting characters
      • each book teaches important lessons

        I recommend these books as good resources for elementary age kids. Nicely done Tad and Chariot!

  • Sarah's Journey

    • Author - Wanda Luttrell
    Publisher - Chariot House Publishers
    List Price - $5.99
    recommended for children ages 8 - 12

        These exciting historical fiction books are set in the time of the American Revolution and help children learn about courage, trust, obedience and acceptance.

    • Favorite Features
      • interesting stories
      • set in early American history
      • each book teaches important lessons

        I recommend these books as good resources for elementary age kids. Nicely done Wanda and Chariot!

  • Get A Clue Mystery Puzzles

    • Author - Mark Littleton
    Publisher - Standard Publishing
    List Price - $12.99
    recommended for children ages 10 and up

        There are four sets in this unique resource! Each set includes a 250-piece puzzle and a mystery story. This is a great activity for families to work on together. The puzzle helps provide clues to solve the mystery and the book presents a story that will help kids learn Bible truths in a unique and fun way!

    • Favorite Features
      • teach important lessons
      • involves the entire family

        I recommend these book and puzzle sets as great resources for the entire family! Well done Mark and Standard!

  • Caution: Dangerous Devotions

    • Author - Jackie Persghetti
    Publisher - Chariot House Publishers
    List Price - $10.99
    recommended for children ages 8 and up

        This book has 103 devotions for kids that will take them through the New Testament. Each devotion begins with "Getting Ready" to help the reader prepare for the day's devotion. Then comes the devotion in a section titled, "The Journey". Kids can look up other verses in the Bible in the "Climbing Onward" segment. Each devotion ends with one of four special sections designed to help kids think and apply what they have learned.

    • Favorite Features
      • short readings make it more likely kids will stick to it
      • focus on application
      • encourages active response

        I recommend this book as an excellent resource for elementary age kids to help them learn to read and apply God's Word. Well done Jackie and Chariot!

    There are so many other great resources to include in your Book Fair - resources for young children, elementary age children, youth and adults. The people at you local bookstore will be able to help you make some great selections to help make your Book Fair a success!

Table of Contents

About The Children's Department - Volumn 2, Edition 1
Copyright © Lynda Freeman
Last Updated March 17, 1998
Web Page by Lynda Freeman
Send an e-mail to Lynda at lynda.freeman@usa.net

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