As part of Read Across America Month, The University of MemphisCampus School is hosting the Scholastic Book Fair.
Scholastic Books, a global children's publishing and mediacompany, partners with schools and school systems across thecountry to bring affordable books in a variety of reading levels toschools, parents and children.
The U of M Campus School's book fair began Monday and will endtomorrow. One of the school's classrooms is transformed for thefair into a mini-bookstore, where children, parents and teacherscan buy books, software and educational toys.
Although the children are offered educational materials, some ofthem prefer to buy fun books about the cool stuff they reallylike.
Six-year-old Keynan bought a book about lizards.
"The tales break off but grow back," he said. "It changes, butit stays the same."
Campus School first-grader Zachary, 7, bought Pokemon andBionicle books to share with his dad. The books are filled withhelpful hints about how to master his Pokemon and Bionicle computergames.
"Dad helps me, and he works on computers -- that's why I know Ican do these things," Zachary said.
The Campus School scheduled several other events in conjunctionwith the book fair to make reading more appealing to children.
The parents and teachers lined the halls Tuesday for a bookcharacter parade, school officials said.
Several children chose to dress like characters from the popularchildren's book "The Teacher from the Black Lagoon," said TammyVanderHook, book fair chairman and Student Activities Councilvolunteer.
"They like that (book) series because (the books) are about realthings that happen to them, like losing teeth," VanderHooksaid.
In addition to providing an opportunity to buy new books andencourage reading, the fair is also a fundraising event for theschool. The publishing company offers schools participating in thefair the option to use a percentage of the book sales to buyinstructional resources or books from Scholastic. Schools are alsooffered the opportunity to get cash instead of purchasing morematerials.
During the fair, Campus School teachers and officials stress toparents the importance of reading to their children, VanderHooksaid.
"Parents need to take time at home to read to their children(when) nothing else interferes," VanderHook said, suggestingparents pick a time when the house is quiet and the television isoff.
As part of the weeklong activities, today is designated FamilyNight, during which parents, children and teachers will read insmall groups, play games and shop for more books, school officialssaid.
Each year, the school selects a local celebrity to read a bookto the children and their families. This year, the celebrity readerwill be Memphis Tigers football coach Tommy West.
West said he understands the importance of reading tochildren.
"Adults must get involved (in helping children learn to read)and volunteer their time," West said. "When reading at home, makeit fun to learn to read and comprehend."
