Valentine Opens New Chapter on Book Fair

Unicorns, dragons and dozens of other make-believe characters filled the Valentine Elementary School Little Theatre recently during the school’s annual Book Fair. The three-day affair featured an impressive selection of books supplied by vendor Mrs. Nelson’s Book Fair Co. Dozens of student-designed bookmarks were on display depicting this year’s Book Fair theme, “Read to Believe,” and three bookmark contest winners per grade level as well as a grand-prize winner were named. A special family night allowed for extended shopping hours and an opportunity to purchase dinner at the Pie ‘N Burger truck. Students not only expanded their own personal reading collections but also had the opportunity to purchase and donate books to their classrooms and to the school’s library. The event concluded with a special student assembly followed by a book signing featuring children’s book author and illustrator David Shannon. Shannon read his most recent release, “Duck on a Tractor,” to the lower grade levels and demonstrated a character illustration for the upper grades. The Book Fair was chaired by Valentine PTA members Marisa Kelly, Jeannie Kim and Janice Segimoto. Proceeds from the event support the school’s PTA-sponsored activities and academic enrichment programs.