Take Me to Your Reader: Outer Space-themed Book Fair Lands in Orono

From The Diary of Anne Frank to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, there is something for everyone at the Scholastic book fair launching today at Orono Intermediate School. 

“Orono hosts the third largest Scholastic book fair in the U.S., based on sales,” says Nancy Gunderson, book fair co-chair. “Our schools have always been committed to building strong readers.”

This year’s book fair takes on an outer space theme, “To the Book Fair and Beyond.”  The media center at Orono Intermediate School has been turned into a galaxy of stars, flying saucers and martians for decor.

Local authors will read their books in classrooms and sign books during the fair.

“I love being a part of the book fair because kids see that regular everyday moms like me can be authors,” says Susie Bazil, author of The Sick Bug and its sequel, The Sick Bug Goes to School.  

Bazil was inspired to write the book when her daughter had a cold and Bazil told her she had a bug. 

“She bombarded me with questions like ‘What do sick bugs look like?’  The story literally poured out of me,” she said.

Tripping over a laundry basket inspired Jeanne Cook to write The Laundry Monster. 

“I quickly wrote the story, or rather it wrote itself,” says the Orono mother of four. “I put it away in a drawer because I was too busy with all the family activities.” 

When her youngest child started kindergarten, Cook took the story out of the drawer, giving life to The Laundry Monster.

“When I read to students, I show them original edits—there were over 50,” says Cook. “I also show them first sketches of what the laundry monster could have looked like.”

What book will be a hot seller? 

Gunderson expects Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever to fly off shelves. 

“Book fair shoppers will have the chance to buy this book ahead of its official release at a discounted price,” she says.

Proceeds from the fair will benefit Orono schools, as well as kids from other communities. 

“We are encouraging students to bring in loose change which will be used to buy books for kids in need,” says Gunderson. "Our goal is to raise $1,000.”  

The books will be distributed to local children through Interfaith Outreach’s holiday giving program.

Gunderson and co-chair Melissa Thompson will oversee the week-long book fair which will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parents are encouraged to “Read and Feed,” that is, shop at the book fair with their kids during recess and then stay for lunch. 

The fair has extended hours on Nov. 8 and 9 (opening at 7:30 a.m.) and will stay open until 6 p.m. on Nov 8. Hungry readers will enjoy the family spaghetti dinner on Thursday, Nov. 10 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria.

The last day to shop will be Friday, Nov. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.