SHARED by: Katherine Grier, Librarian at York Avenue Preschool

York Avenue Preschool will hold its annual Book Fair November 28 – 30, 2017. The school’s lobby will be transformed into a mini bookstore featuring a wide variety of children’s fiction and non-fiction books, as well as sticker and other activity books perfect for holiday gift giving. Titles have been hand-selected by YAPs librarian Ms. Katherine with the York Avenue Preschool, Eastside Day School and Gymtime communities in mind.  Below, Ms. Katherine reveals more details and shares her thoughts about this special event.

What is your favorite part about the bookfair?

I love set-up day. It is so exciting to open the boxes, smell and feel all the brand new books, and see them displayed on the sale shelves. It is magical! I also love watching families get so excited about the new books they have purchased at the bookfair that they sit right down on the floor and start to read together without even waiting to take them home.

When will the bookfair be open for business?

The bookfair lasts for 3 days, and thanks to our tireless bookfair chairpersons, Parent Association Board Members and wonderful parent volunteers, we are open morning, afternoon and evening hours. Hours of Operation:

Tuesday, November 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m

Thursday, November 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Again this year, we will have two convenient checkout stations, with “square” technology for faster credit card processing.  The square permits us to accept all credit cards, including American Express, and allows us to be paperless, as well.

What is the book selection like?

I think our outstanding book selection is what makes our bookfair so unique. A diverse selection of beautifully illustrated and smartly written books from a wide variety of outstanding authors will be available.  I spent many hours selecting books for ages 2 to 12 years in all formats from board book to hardcover and paperback. There are new and classic picture books, early readers, beginning chapter books and graphic novels. We also will have interesting biographies and other non-fiction works in science, sports, math, history and general reference.

As for specific titles, we are expecting current bestsellers like Princesses Wear Pants by Savannah Guthrie, Everything is Mama by Jimmy Fallon, and She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton, as well as many books that were just released in September and October, including Say Zoop! by Herve Tulet, Peterrific by Victoria Kann, In the Middle of Fall by Kevin Henkes, and The Wolf, the Duck and the Mouse by Mac Barnett. There also will be many titles featuring popular characters like Pete the Cat, Elephant & Piggie, and Curious George, with some superheroes and Nickelodeon and Disney characters thrown in too.  I don’t think I am exaggerating when I say it will be nearly impossible for every family that visits the bookfair not to find something perfect for them.

How do students and teachers benefit from bookfair sales?

A percentage of all sales come back to the YAP library. We use these funds to purchase new and replacement books, repair damaged books, and sponsor author readings.  YAP is very fortunate to have a dedicated library space outside of the classroom, and it is one of the few preschools in the city that has a circulating library where books are regularly brought home by students to be shared with families. YAP, TEDS and PEP teachers also borrow books to enhance specific lessons and art or cooking projects.

We hope to see you there!