Book Fair, Ice Cream Social draw crowd to Kaegebein

by Kathy Duff
Grand Island Dispatch, October 13, 2006

Both browsing and buying were brisk Tuesday evening at the annual Scholastic Book Fair and Ice Cream Social at Kaegebein Elementary on Love Road.

PTA volunteers had set up the familiar roll-in display carts in a horseshoe shape in the school gymnasium. Second- through fifth-graders were not shy about looking through the wide variety of puzzles, software and fiction and non-fiction books.

Rainforest books and other science materials have become staples at these events, but also for sale were children’s classics such as E.B.White’s “Charlotte’s Web” in a sturdy and affordable hardcover. By far the bestseller of the evening, though, was “How to Eat Fried Worms” by Thomas Rockwell, popular now because of the movie by the same name.

“I had to go back to the warehouse today for that one,” remarked Heather Fiegler, co-chairman of the event. The “Avatar” series of books sold well, too.

Always paired with the evening Book Fair is an ice cream social in Cafeteria One, featuring parfaits and a novelty called a “Lolly.” Sales here appeared as heavy as in the gym.

Individual classrooms had times to visit the Book Fair during the day on Wednesday and Thursday. Proceeds from all parts of the event will benefit PTA programs at Kaegebein.