The Book Fair, as the name suggests, is all about books and the quest for knowledge through creativity. Hence, this year’s Book Fair consisted in transforming students into reading creatures that encourage learning through books.

Children, families, and teachers were thrilled when the school transformed into a special place where imaginary monsters encouraged reading. The Book Fair has become a staple of Columbus School culture as hundreds visit the fair every year to get a hand on their favorite books. Its success relies on the fact that the presence of the variety of genres creates a fascination with literature, and creates an interest in reading.

“This year instead of having one vendor, we had 4. So we have Scholastic Books coming from the States, 9 ¾, Al Pie de la Letra, and Ediciones Malibu from Bogotá,” said Book Fair organizer, Carolina Madrid.

The Book Fair had a very vast selection of books in both English and in Spanish. Additionally to fiction, books about history, geography and foreign cultures, otherwise unknown to the children, were available at the fair.

“During the art classes with Jennifer Lozada, the first grade kids each kid made a monster to decorate for the Book Fair, and there were  kids from second to fifth grade who came to color and build monsters,” added Madrid.

Therefore, The Book Fair was practically owned by the students, as they decorated it and made it their own. They covered everything – bulletin boards, doors, and furniture – with creatures made from felt, and weird eyes.

“As a first time Book Fair thrower for so many kids, we were afraid because we had 4 vendors instead of 1, but everything went perfectly smooth,” commented Madrid.

In past Book Fairs, Scholastic was mainly involved, meanwhile other editorials had no presence. However, this year with three more editorials, they succeed with their goal and sold more books than in any other Book Fair had done previously.

“I thought that there were many great books like for example; Goosebumps and Geronimo Stilton, I also liked a lot that this year they had a theme,” said 4th grade student, Gabriel Gutierrez.

Even though children get directions from librarians, teachers and more especially parents, in the Book Fair they were allowed to develop their own taste. The fact that there was no criteria for the books  allowed them to read any type of genre that they were interested in.

“I went with my teacher and bought a couple of books, and afterwards parents were allowed to come to buy books for us, and bought another 3,” said Mia Hodek, current 3rd Grade student.

Finally, it was a complete success for everyone involved, and also stands as living proof that a large book fair is actually possible and also better.

“If I could describe the Book Fair in one word it would be: dreamy” concluded Madrid