\u201cIt’s so fun to hear what they’re excited about seeing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/efairs-assets.literati.com\/literati\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/08172448\/Katherine_Edwards_bookfair.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEdwards, who just completed her 13th book fair of her career, says she used to use another company, but switched permanently to Literati after seeing the quality of the books and expansive collection. \u201cWhatever magic Literati has, they know what to pick for the kids,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She says the bonus is not having to deal with \u201cthe junk\u201d (think plushie toys and smelly erasers) that another fair company shipped with the books. \u201cThe books Literati supplies don’t come with the trinkets and stuff, but do come accompanied with useful school supplies that are very popular.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Edwards, who also is in charge of the school\u2019s social media, said she creates special graphics and catchy phrases to promote the fairs and posts regularly in the run-up to launch. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to do a lot,\u201d she says. \u201cI set up what they’ve given me, and the fair sells itself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Edwards says the Literati sales system is easy to use and includes a Wi-Fi hotspot for her library since the school\u2019s internet is problematic. Best, she says, is the ability for parents to go online and purchase a printable gift card. \u201cEven if a student loses their printout between home and book fair, I can look them up on my computer. It’s a foolproof system.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All the money raised from the fairs goes toward purchasing books for the library \u2013 something Edwards says she feels grateful for since she doesn\u2019t have to worry as much about district and school budgets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Edwards sees herself as the \u201clibrary lady\u201d not just for her school, but the Madison community at large since she volunteers so much at the public library. \u201cI’m seen as the go-to person if one of my coworkers or a family has a question not only about what’s going on at our school library, but at the public library too. They feel like they can reach out to me and talk to me about those initiatives. And I embrace that, and I love it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Edwards said she hopes her students will take memories of the book fair with them in life to embrace books and support their public libraries. \u201cThe core purpose of the book fair is to provide a positive experience with reading,\u201d she says. \u201cOur generation has such fond memories of getting to shop at school book fairs and the excitement that that generated. Hopefully we’re building some of those same core memories for these kids today too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPositive reading experiences are so important in building their identity as a reader,\u201d Edwards says. \u201cAnd I like to make the book fair one of those positive experiences that helps them enjoy reading.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having a book that students can call their own \u2013 rather than having to return it to her library \u2013 also is important. \u201cThe books at the Literati fairs are so affordable that our students can leave with a book that is theirs,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"