If you’re a school librarian, you know the school book fair is a big deal. It can fill your students’ hands with books they’re excited about and raise money for your library. It can also eat up your time and leave you sorting through boxes at 6 p.m. wondering why you signed up for this.

The good news is that the program you choose makes a huge difference. Not all book fairs are created equal, and the “right” one depends on your school, your schedule, and your goals. Here’s a simple, step-by-step way to compare your options so you can pick one with confidence.

Note: This post is sponsored by Literati. I was compensated for writing it, but all opinions are my own, based on my research and experience as a school librarian and book fair coordinator.

Step 1: Start with your “Why?”

Before you look at a single website, ask yourself what you need this school book fair to do. Are you raising money for new library books? Or do you really need some new library furniture or supplies? Are you working to build a reading culture? Giving kids who don’t have many books at home a chance to shop for a book of their own? Knowing your top priority will help you weigh the rest of this list.

Also grab a few numbers from past years, if you have them available: how much you raised, how many volunteers showed up, and how many hours you personally spent. That’s your baseline for comparing programs.

Step 2: Evaluate Fundraising Ease

Fundraising is the heart of it for most of us, so look past the headline percentage.

What to check:

• Profit structure. Is it a flat percentage of sales, or does it change with sales tiers? Do you get that percentage in cash, or in credit toward books and supplies? Literati offers up to 60% back in rewards while Scholastic offers up to 50% back.
• Rewards partners. Ask about where you can spend your book fair profit, if you don’t take it in cash. For example, Scholastic credit can only be used to shop in the Scholastic Dollars catalog, while Literati credits can be used to shop with Capstone, DEMCO, Novel Effect, and other librarian vendors.
• Online fair options. Many programs offer an online component that reaches families who can’t make it to campus or relatives who live far away. Ask how online sales are credited to your school and how long the online window lasts. For example, if you choose to continue the online fair all year long, through birthdays, holidays, and summer reading, you’ll receive 2% back from Scholastic and 10% back from Literati on every order.
• Payment logistics. Can you take cards? Do families have an e-wallet option? Fewer cash-handling headaches means fewer change-counting mistakes. Both Scholastic and Literati offer cashless options.
• Reporting. Will you get clear sales reports so you can see exactly what you earned?
• Restocking. With Scholastic, you will need to create and place restock orders yourself, while Literati auto-populates “Smart Picks” based on real-time monitoring of sales. Too busy to make a list? You can let  Literati’s auto-submit do the work, or you can customize your Literati restock order if you prefer.

Questions to ask the rep:

1. “What is my school’s profit, as cash and as credit? Can I split my rewards between cash and credit?”
2. “Are there any fees, minimums, or shipping charges that reduce my earnings?”
3. “How are online sales tracked and credited to us?”
4. “How will my book fair be replenished?”

Step 3: Look Closely at Book Quality

A school book fair can raise lots of money and still disappoint if the books aren’t worth reading or if they fall apart after students take them home.  This is where your librarian expertise really matters.

What to check:

• Variety and age-appropriateness. Is there a strong range for your grade levels, including picture books, early readers, chapter books, graphic novels, and nonfiction?
• Real books versus novelty items. Pencils, erasers, and gadgets are fun, but look at the ratio. How much of the fair is actual books? Scholastic provides many toys and trinkets designed to be displayed near the cash register, and some of these impulse items annoy teachers and parents.  Instead of novelty toys, Literati stocks its supply shelves exclusively with fun items that inspire young authors and illustrators, such as pencils, erasers, bookmarks, journals, and pens.
• Diversity and representation. Do the titles reflect the students in your school and give them windows into other lives? Are multiple publishers represented (Literati), or is the inventory mainly from one publisher (Scholastic)?
• Book bindings. Ask whether the books are the same trade editions you’d find at a bookstore, or special editions printed just for book fairs. Book-fair-only editions sometimes use lighter paper and lower-grade bindings to keep costs down. Literati books are retail trade editions, the same ones you’d buy off a bookstore shelf.

Step 4: Weigh the Setup Demands

This is the step people skip, and it’s often what decides whether a book fair is a joy or a burden. Be realistic about your time and your volunteer pool.

What to check:

• Delivery and setup. Are cases, shelves, and display materials included, and how many book boxes will you be required to lift and move? Literati Book Fairs are delivered mostly (75%) on rolling cases and can typically be set up in an hour or less with only one or two people required. Scholastic delivers multiple boxes of books that need to be lifted and moved to set up your book fair, and a team of volunteers is recommended.
• Boxes and displays. Are the boxes you receive filled with books that you will need to create displays for (Scholastic)? Or are the boxes stocked with ready-to-go displays that you simply lift out of the box (Literati)?
• Volunteer needs. How many helpers do you need per shift? Is the checkout process simple enough for a parent volunteer to manage with a short training?
• Volunteer gifts.What type of discount does the book fair company offer to your volunteers and school staff? Literati gives a 20% discount on the total purchase to volunteers and school staff. Scholastic gives a discount coupon of $5 off a $20 purchase for school staff and volunteers, limit one coupon per purchase.
• Inventory and cleanup. How do you count and reconcile at the end? How long will it take you to pack up the fair and submit your sales reports?

Honestly, a program with slightly lower profit and much lower setup demands can be the better choice if it keeps you from burning out. Your time has value, too.

Step 5: Check the Sales Support

The best fairs don’t just drop off cases. They help you succeed.

What to check:

• Promotional materials. Do you get flyers, posters, social media graphics, and email templates, or do you have to create everything yourself? Does the book fair company supply a decorative theme (like Literati) or will you be required to create your own theme (Scholastic)?
• Wish list tools. Can students and teachers make wish lists that families can view online? This is a great way to drive sales and make gifting and teacher appreciation easy. Scholastic promotes printed teacher wish lists and a display board, while Literati encourages digital teacher wishlists to make participation easier for busy families.
• A real person to call. Will you have a dedicated rep who answers questions, and is support available during the fair itself if something goes wrong?
• Training and planning resources. Some programs offer planning checklists, theme ideas, and tips from librarians who’ve done it before. For example, Literati offers theme changes every season to drive customer excitement and student engagement.

• Questions to ask the rep:
• “Who is my point of contact, and how quickly can I reach them during the fair?”
• “What marketing materials are included, and what costs extra?”
• “What help do you offer for promoting the fair to families?”

Step 6: Compare Your Options Side by Side

Once you’ve gathered the details, make a simple scorecard. List each program in a column and rate it from 1 to 5 on the four areas: fundraising ease, book quality, setup demands, and sales support. Then weight the categories based on your “why” from Step 1. If book access is your top priority, book quality counts double. If your volunteer pool is tiny, give setup demands extra weight.

Bonus steps that will save you later:

• Ask other school librarians. Post in a librarian community (like the Learning Librarians Facebook group) or ask your district colleagues what their experience has been. Real-world feedback is worth its weight in gold.
• Read the contract. Look at cancellation terms, return policies, and payment timelines before you sign.
• Start small if you’re unsure. If you’re trying a new program, consider one fair to test the waters and compare book fair providers for yourself.

The Bottom Line

The best book fair program is the one that matches your goals, respects your time, and puts great books in kids’ hands. Take the time to ask good questions, compare your options honestly, and trust your instincts as the expert on your school community.

You’ve got this, friend!

Cari

Further information about book fair editions, provided by Gemini:

Are you looking for a fun story to share with your students at the start of the school year? I recently asked my school librarian colleagues to name their favorite back to school picture books to read aloud, and, boy, did they answer! Check out the top 20 back to school picture books, as recommended by experienced school librarians.

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School by Mo Willems (2019): Our favorite worried pigeon is heading off to school for the first time, and the nerves are piling up. He’s anxious about tackling math problems, mastering his ABCs, lugging around a heavy backpack, and — maybe most of all — whether the teacher and his fellow feathered classmates will actually like him. These PDF activity pages from the publisher include a License to Read for your students.

Butterflies on the First Day of School

Butterflies on the First Day of School by Annie Silvestro (2019): Rosie has been counting down to kindergarten for weeks, with her pencils sharpened, backpack packed, and ready to go. But the night before the big day, her stomach starts acting up. Her mom explains it’s just a case of the butterflies, and they’ll flutter away soon enough. Sure enough, the next morning, when Rosie greets a new friend on the bus, an actual butterfly flutters right out of her mouth! Throughout the day, more butterflies escape as her nerves ease, and Rosie even helps a shy classmate release a few butterflies of her own.

Turkey Goes to School

Turkey Goes to School by Wendi Silvano (2021): Part of the Turkey Trouble series, Turkey is eager and ready for the approaching school year, Turkey is eager and ready. He and his barnyard buddies have been diligently practicing their reading, writing, and math right along with everyone else. But when the school bus finally arrives, they’re turned away — turns out animals aren’t welcome in the classroom. Pig thinks that’s downright ridiculous, and Turkey couldn’t agree more. Determined to prove that he and his farmyard friends belong, Turkey hatches a plan. Between a gobble here, a gobble there, and some clever disguises, he just might pull it off.

The Book of Rules

The Book of Rules by Brian Gehrlein (2021): Follow the rules, or Dennis the monster might just gobble you up! This playful read walks kids through a set of must-follow instructions: sitting crisscross-applesauce on the floor, making a silly fish face, and getting ready to listen mindfully, all in the name of staying safely off Dennis’s menu.

If I Built a School

If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen (2019): Jack’s imagination is back in session! This time, he’s reimagining school from the ground up, dreaming up the ultimate learning environment for himself and his classmates. Picture hover desks, textbooks that pop up in 3D, a wind tunnel for skydiving practice, a gym with a trampoline basketball court, library books that come alive, field trips all the way to Mars, and so much more. This book does have a soundscape and activity link on Novel Effect. You could also use Legos to have students build their own dream school.

Crunch the Shy Dinosaur

Crunch the Shy Dinosaur by Cirocco Dunlap (2018): Crunch is a shy, sweet brontosaurus tucked away in the shrubbery, and he’d love to play, if your students can coax him out. This one is made for read-aloud: kids will be leaning forward, whispering encouragement, and giggling at Crunch’s silly hat and dance moves before you’ve reached the last page. Underneath the fun, it’s a quiet lesson in how to befriend someone new or a little different: respecting personal space, being patient, showing interest in what the other person loves.

The Book with No Pictures

The Book with No Pictures by B. J. Novak (2014): The rule of this book is simple: whoever reads it aloud has to say every single word on the page, no matter what. And that’s where the fun begins, because the pages are stuffed with nonsense words, ridiculous confessions, and silly declarations that leave the reader looking foolish and the kids absolutely howling.

There are no pictures, and that’s the point. Novak lets the typography do the work, with words that swell, shrink, and burst into color across wide-open white space, so the text itself becomes the show. It’s a brilliant way to teach students that the words on a page have power, and a guaranteed hit for any read-aloud where you need to win over a squirmy crowd fast.

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins (2018): It’s Penelope Rex’s first day of school, and she’s thrilled to meet her new classmates. There’s just one problem: they’re children, she’s a T. rex, and they look delicious. Making friends is tricky when you keep eating them. It takes a nip from the class goldfish for Penelope to finally see things from the other side and realize how it feels to be someone’s snack. This one earns big laughs at read-aloud time, but it’s doing quiet work too, opening up easy conversations about empathy, first-day jitters, and what it means to be a good friend. Perfect for kindergarten and first-grade visits in the first weeks of school

Jabari Tries

Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall (2020): Jabari has a plan: build a machine that flies clear across the backyard. And he’s going to do it all by himself, thank you very much. Except the first try crashes. And the next one. Frustration sets in fast, but with a well-timed pep talk from Dad and a surprisingly helpful little sister in fairy wings, Jabari learns that asking for help isn’t giving up, and that a good idea sometimes needs a few crashes before it gets to WHOOSH. It gently makes the case that flexibility and teamwork are part of what makes an inventor great, a great way back to school picture book for growth mindset.

The Smart Cookie

The Smart Cookie by Jory John (2021): This little cookie has never felt like a smart cookie. Surrounded by clever cupcakes and brilliant rolls at the bakery, she’s convinced she just doesn’t measure up, no matter how hard she studies. But when a creative project lets her shine in her own way, she starts to discover that being smart isn’t only about perfect scores and quick answers. Part of the Food Group series that already flies off your shelves, this one is a gift for the kids who quietly compare themselves to the “smart” ones in class. It opens up an easy back to school conversation about different kinds of intelligence and where confidence really comes from, and the puns will keep the whole room giggling along the way.

The Library Doors

The Library Doors by Toni Buzzeo (2008): Sung to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus,” this picture book practically teaches itself. It’s a lively, sing-along introduction to what happens in a library, and the library in the story looks a whole lot like yours: bustling with kids all day, built around them, and a place they actually want to be.

The verses cover the essentials in the most memorable way possible, from checking books in and out to using quiet voices and settling in for a story. A few verses also open the door to bigger lessons, like searching by subject, author, or title, if you want to build on them later. Ideal for those first-week orientation visits with your youngest patrons and a guaranteed earworm they’ll be humming on the way back to class. You can grab a teaching guide and reader’s theatre script here on the author’s website.

Pete the Cat: Rockin’ in my School Shoes

Pete the Cat: Rockin’ in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin (2011): Pete the Cat is rocking his brand-new school shoes, and he’s ready to explore. Follow him through the library, the lunchroom, the playground, and everywhere in between as he takes on a full school day the way only Pete can: grooving, singing, and completely unbothered by whatever comes his way. Because, as Pete would say, it’s all good.

This is a back-to-school favorite for a reason. It’s a perfect fit for kindergarten library visits in those first weeks, when everything is new and a little overwhelming, and Pete’s easygoing attitude models exactly the calm we’re hoping to see. Bonus points if you sing it. Your students will join in by the second verse.

The Secret Life of Library Books

The Secret Life of Library Books by Anne J. Brown (2018): When Mrs. Davis returns to the Robinson Elementary library after summer break, she finds a mysterious stack of letters on her desk, and they’re not from students. They’re from the books. Each one spills a funny, imaginative secret about what really goes on in the library after hours, and along the way, the books make a pretty convincing case for gentle hands, dry places, and coming home on time.

This is a natural pick for your first library visits of the year. It covers book care and library expectations without a single lecture, and it’s a fun springboard for a follow-up activity: have your students write their own letter from a book on the shelf.

Overdue: The Misadventure of Bob the Book

Overdue: The Misadventure of Bob the Book by Gloria Koster (2024): Meet Bob, the most-loved book in the Wisdom Hill Elementary library. Bob is used to being adored, until Sebastian checks him out and promptly forgets he exists. Left behind and lonely, Bob wonders if he’ll ever be read again. Told entirely from the book’s point of view, it’s a gently dramatic little story with a big heart, and kids feel every bit of Bob’s worry.

Written by a fellow librarian, this one hits all the notes we care about: returning books on time, treating them kindly, and remembering that a book on your nightstand is waiting for you. It’s a lovely opener for a book-care lesson or a quiet way to nudge those overdue reminders along. Pair it with a “what would your favorite book say?” writing prompt and watch the empathy roll in. You can grab coloring pages here.

The Library Fish

The Library Fish by Alyssa Satin Capucilli (2022): When Mr. Hughes finds a lone fish in the library and names her Library Fish, she knows she’s exactly where she belongs. She makes friends, keeps an eye on the returns, rides along on the bookmobile, and lives for story time, when she can travel the world (and beyond) without ever leaving her bowl. Then a snow day empties the library, and for the first time, Library Fish has to decide whether she’s brave enough to venture out and explore the place she loves on her own.

This is a warm, gentle celebration of everything a library can be, and a lovely fit for your youngest visitors. It quietly reinforces how books carry us to new places, and Library Fish’s big, brave leap opens the door to a conversation about trying something new.

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell (2001): Molly Lou Melon is tiny, clumsy, buck-toothed, and blessed with a voice that could startle a bullfrog. None of that bothers her one bit. Her grandma taught her to walk proud, smile big, and sing loud, and Molly Lou has taken that advice all the way to heart. So when she lands at a new school and the class bully sets his sights on her the very first day, she meets every jab with confidence, cleverness, and a whole lot of charm.

This one has been a library staple for years, and for good reason. It’s a bully story where the answer isn’t fighting back but standing tall, and kids love watching Molly Lou turn every “flaw” into a superpower.

The Book That Jake Borrowed

The Book that Jake Borrowed by Susan Holt Kralovansky (2018): It starts with a little jelly on a library book. Then a rat wanders by for a lick. Then a cat catches the rat, a dog chases the cat, and poor Jake’s borrowed book is caught in the middle of the whole mess. Built on the familiar cumulative rhythm of “There Was an Old Lady,” this one piles up the trouble verse by verse, with repeating lines and sound effects that have kids chiming in long before the ending.

It’s also a sneaky little book-care lesson. Your students will be too busy giggling at the chain reaction to notice they’re learning exactly why food and library books should keep their distance. A fun, low-pressure way to set expectations early in the year, and a great follow-up to any “sticky situations” you’ve already found on your returns cart. You can download bookmarks, a reader’s theatre script and lesson plan here on the author’s website.

You’re Finally Here

You’re Finally Here by Melanie Watt (2011): If you want a back-to-school read-aloud that gets a laugh on the very first page, this is your bunny. A wildly expressive rabbit breaks the fourth wall to celebrate that you, the reader, have finally shown up, then can’t resist telling you exactly how long, boring, and downright insulting the wait was, even producing a contract to make sure you’ll never leave again. The tables turn when his phone rings and he ignores you, which opens the door to great conversations about patience, manners, and how it feels to be kept waiting.

It’s a natural fit for PreK–2 library orientation, and with an end-of-year sequel You’re On Your Way! now out, it can bookend your whole year.

Where Are My Books?

Where Are My Books? by Debbie Ridpath Ohi (2015): Spencer loves his books so much that he reads one every night and keeps his shelf just so, which is why he’s horrified to find his favorite title missing one morning with only a tulip in its place. As more books vanish (and a nut and other odd clues appear), Spencer suspects his family, gets into trouble for blaming his little sister, and finally sets a trap that uncovers a band of book-loving squirrels. His solution is the part that will make every librarian’s heart swell: he starts a lending library so everyone can enjoy his books. Ages 4–8 will chime in on the repeated “WHERE IS MY BOOK?” refrain, and it doubles as a gentle intro to how libraries work and why we treat shared books with care.

The author’s website is a goldmine, with a downloadable teacher’s guide, how-to-draw Spencer and squirrel sheets, an “I Love My Library” poster, bookmarks, a reading-recommendation sheet, and four coloring pages.

I hope you found a new favorite back to school picture book!

I’d love to share this fun library scavenger hunt to start your school year with movement and exploration. Grab it for free here!

Happy reading!

What’s an under $20 purchase that upgraded your school librarian life? I asked this question on the Library Learners Facebook page, and, boy, did you answer! Over 200 comments can be distilled down to these top recommendations. Sometimes, the small purchases can make a big difference in the daily life of a school librarian!

• This label scraper is great for removing stickers and labels from your school library books. You’ll find it especially useful when weeding and removing school barcode labels.
• A rolling mechanic’s stool is a bit over $20, but so useful for shelving, shelf reading and inventory scanning on your lower shelves.
• How many uses will you find for these Velcro dots? (1) Mark student seating spots on the carpet; (2) Mark student line-up spots at the library door; (3) place these under your table legs so that groups that use the library after hours know where to put them back if they move the furniture (4) number the dots so that you can move students to a specific numbered spot, if needed; (5) cover up an extension cord that’s temporarily stretched across a walkway in your library; (6) label the pathways in your library so that you can easily direct students (for example, looking for a dolphin book? Go down the red line and look to your right).
• Add flexibility to your school librarian life when you attach your signs with these Velcro dots, making it easier to switch out library signs.

• This number keypad allows students to enter their student number to check out books. One librarian was able to re-map the “+” key to type an “s” instead. This version is corded so that you don’t have to remember to charge it.
• A light box message board can ask the question of the day from your circulation desk. Suggested questions: Are you feeling curious? What’s good about today?
• You can use sticky magnets to add decorations to your library cart, like characters cut out from damaged picture books and graphic novels.
• Did you know that a heat gun can remove labels without leaving a sticky residue? Just blow hot air on the sticker for 15-30 seconds and then peel the sticker off easily.

• The plastic tray for a dog kennel can be used to keep a jigsaw puzzle together on a flat surface that can be moved. They are light enough that students can move them without help.
• This dry erase caddy will organize your school librarian life, going above your keyboard and perfect for quick notes without having sticky notes everywhere. (Is a life without sticky notes everywhere even possible? I often wonder.)
• Pick up glitter and perler beads with this little sweeper. It’s also great for cleaning up crumbs and debris around your keyboard and desk drawers.
• A pencil sharpener that actually works for colored pencils, without jamming up.

• I had no idea of the possibilities that a remote-controlled LED light bulb could hold! Place it in a lamp, and then you use it for indicating student discussion expectations. Green light= share with your partner/team; yellow light= time is almost up (10-20 seconds most of the time); red light= stop, look, and listen; standard white light is during the part where you are reading or sharing information.
• Cool off your school librarian life with a USB-powered desk fan.
• A magnetic light at your bathroom sign out can eliminate students asking if they can use the bathroom. The student leaving turns the light on and then turns it off upon return. Your students will learn that light on = no go.
• Give yourself freedom to move around during library lessons when you use a presentation remote.

• Are you already using a laser pointer to help students find books or signs from across the room? Consider switching to a green laser pointer. Your immigrant population may find the red laser triggering as it looks like a scope sight.
• A wireless bluetooth speaker teams up well with Novel Effect for read-alouds.
• Need a quiet moment for yourself or your students? A jellyfish lamp might be the answer. Yes, your students will ask you if they’re alive and if you caught them in the ocean. Maybe they can even write a story about them!
• Place your computer monitor on a swivel stand so that you can spin it around for students to see when they’re standing on the other side of the desk.

Many thanks to all of the school librarians who shared these small, but game-changing purchases! Happy reading, and happy shopping!

Got a Literati Book Fair on the calendar for the 26-27 school year? Get excited! You’re in for two seriously fun themes! Campfire Magic will bring cozy, adventurous vibes to your fall fair, while Go for the Gold brings all the energy of friendly competition to spring. Both themes are packed with inspiration for decorations, activities, and displays that’ll make your library the buzziest spot in school.

Below, you’ll find the titles you’ll want to spotlight for your students, and, trust me, you’ll want to grab a few for your own collection too! Keep an eye out, because a few of these are Literati exclusives you won’t find on any other book fair case!

*Release dates are noted for any books which aren’t published as of the date of this blog post.

Middle Grade Fiction at Literati Book Fairs

Sadie gets accidentally added to the popular girls’ group chat, and, instead of leaving, she decides to stay and spy. Told through narration and text message chains, Friend Group by Lisa Greenwald dives into the messy, relatable world of social media, friendship, and popularity. Add in some sweet crush drama, and you’ve got the perfect pick for students who love texting-format stories and a good “romance.” A page-turner that’s sure to spark great conversations about online choices and true friendship.

Do your students love the Warriors cat series? Here is a worthy successor: The Last Immortals: Dawn of the Axolotls by Kit Brooks. Axolotl hatching Ace must learn to survive in the lake with hunting and camouflage skills and, of course the axolotl’s regenerative abilities. This story of friendship and determination will appeal to your axolotl fans as well as adventure readers.

Get ready to spark your students’ imaginations with The Blazing Book of Dragons by Melanie Reynard. This beautifully illustrated dragon guide is packed with eight action-packed fantasy stories, This collection takes young readers on thrilling adventures filled with powerful dragons, ancient treasures, and magical creatures. A must-have for dragon-loving readers and anyone looking to add some fantasy flair to their collection! (Release date: September 22, 2026)

What would your students do if something strange whispered their name from the woods? Or if their dog started barking at a monster hiding under the bed? Campfire Stories to Scare Your Socks Off by Benjamin Harper is a  spine-tingling collection featuring  eight chilling tales of outdoor terror,  from glowing eyes in the forest to ancient towers hiding cursed treasure, and even a ghost offering a fortune at a terrible price. Perfect for readers who love a good scare, this is a must-have for your library’s spooky season display or year-round horror-loving crowd! (Release date: August 1, 2026)

Chapter Books at Literati Book Fairs

Erin’s new foster mom, Rachel, seems kind enough, but after being hurt too many times before, Erin won’t let her guard down. Everything changes when Rachel brings her to the primate sanctuary where she works, and animal-loving Erin finds herself instantly drawn to a mischievous young chimp and an orphaned baby orangutan named Budi. As Erin works to help Budi bond with his surrogate mom, she may just discover something about trust and connection herself. Baby Animal Friends: Little Orangutan All Alone by Tilda Kelly is a touching read for animal lovers and anyone who appreciates a story about found family.

Get ready for laugh-out-loud adventures with Game of Pets Book 1: The Boy Who Knew Too Much by Aaron Blabey! This illustrated chapter book series kicks off with a diabolical intergalactic game show, an 11-year-old hero with allergies, a talking axolotl, and pets who are definitely not what they seem. From the creator of the wildly popular Bad Guys series, this is exactly the kind of fast-paced, funny read your students are begging for — perfect for reluctant readers and Bad Guys fans ready for their next obsession! (Release date: September 29, 2026; published by Macmillan and not available at Scholastic Book Fairs)

Nonfiction Books at Literati Book Fairs

Help your students become animal experts with Pretty Close But Not the Same: A Side-by-Side Look at Confusable Critters by Meg Fleming! This engaging nonfiction pick explores pairs of animals that are often mixed up and what actually sets them apart. Did you know a dolphin has a bottlenose while a porpoise has a snout? Or that monkeys have tails but apes don’t? This book’s humorous text and hilarious illustrations are  perfect for curious readers and makes a fantastic addition to your nonfiction animal collection.

Bring the awe-inspiring (and sometimes terrifying!) forces of nature into your library with The Amazing Book of Natural Disasters by Claudia Martin. This comprehensive, full-color guide is packed with in-depth information and stunning photographs that will captivate curious minds and budding scientists alike. From earthquakes and volcanoes to hurricanes and wildfires, this visually striking nonfiction title invites readers to explore the science behind our planet’s most dramatic events, all while building research skills and real-world knowledge. With its eye-catching photography and accessible, engaging content, this is a must-have addition to your nonfiction shelves, perfect for reluctant readers, science enthusiasts, and anyone who loves a book packed with fascinating facts! (Release date: August 18, 2026)

Graphic Novels at Literati Book Fairs

Kick off the hilarious, full-color graphic novel series Happy Hills with Attack of the Giant Danger Kittens by Sophy Henn! Lost unicorn Ace never meant to end up in Happy Hills, and now he can’t seem to leave. Join Ace and the wonderfully chaotic residents of this offbeat town as they navigate imaginary friends, disco dance-offs, snack attacks, and, of course, GIANT DANGER KITTENS! Perfect for fans of Bunny vs Monkey, Dog Man, and Donut Squad, this laugh-out-loud series is sure to fly off your graphic novel shelves!

The wildly popular Bunny vs. Monkey series is back with its third hilarious installment: Bunny vs. Monkey and the League of Doom by Jamie Smart! Ever since Monkey crash-landed in the Woods, he’s been stirring up nonstop chaos, and Bunny and the gang (Weenie the Squirrel, Pig the Pig, Action Beaver, and Skunky the Inventor) can barely keep up. Monkey’s ongoing quest for world domination gets more outrageous by the day, and this time it includes a giant robot whale, a pig cannon, a camping trip gone hilariously wrong, and the actual end of the world! Can Bunny and the crew save the day before it’s too late? This laugh-out-loud graphic novel is a can’t-miss addition for your comic-loving readers and Bunny vs. Monkey fans!

Picture Books at Literati Book Fairs

Danny Go’s Volcano Adventure! by Aleksandar Zolotic is the first picture book from hit children’s YouTube star Danny Go! In this interactive tale, young readers trace, tap, and turn the pages to help Danny navigate a volcano filled with magical ice gems, all while avoiding hot lava! Packed with movement-based challenges, cool science facts, and heartwarming moments, this action-filled story invites kids to become active participants in the adventure. Perfect for storytime, this engaging read is a hit with both longtime Danny Go fans and any young explorer who loves a good adventure. It’s a wonderful addition for building early literacy skills through movement and interactivity!

Look for this special Literati exclusive: Bear and Friends Treasury by Karma Wilson, a bind-up featuring two beloved stories from the much-loved Bear series,  Bear’s New Friend and Bear Wants More. A longtime favorite in homes and classrooms alike, this treasury combines Karma Wilson’s playful, rhythmic text with Jane Chapman’s warm, radiant illustrations. In Bear’s New Friend, Bear and his woodland friends work together to coax a shy owl into joining their fun. In Bear Wants More, a very hungry Bear wakes up from hibernation to a springtime feast thanks to his caring friends. This charming two-in-one edition is perfect for storytime and a must-have for fans of the series!

Which Titles Will Your Students Love?

So, which of these titles will spark a new reading obsession in your students? Because Literati partners with more than 100 publishers and imprints each season, your book fair becomes so much more than a sales event.  It’s a place for real discovery. Literati shines a spotlight on deserving new and undiscovered books and series, giving students access to stories beyond the handful of big franchises that usually dominate the conversation.

That kind of discovery matters. It’s what turns “I like Dog Man” into “I like graphic novels,” or “I like Baby-Sitters Club” into “I like friendship stories.” Helping students find that next great read,  the one that deepens their love of reading, is one of the most meaningful parts of our job as school librarians. And with Literati as your enthusiastic partner, you’ve got some extra help along the way.

P.s.- Don’t forget to submit photos of your decorations to the Literati Book Fair Awards!

As a school librarian and book fair host, you are the reason a child is going to fall in love with reading this year. You are the reason a teacher has a new book on their shelf. You are the one who turns a school library into the only bookstore experience some of your students will ever have growing up.

At the TLA Conference in Houston in March 2026, Literati Book Fairs took time to say thank you officially. The first-ever Literati Book Fair Awards recognized school librarians and book fair coordinators across the country who went above and beyond for their communities. National Award Winners received $1,000 in Literati credits toward new books and resources, and Texas Award Winners received $500.

Literati Pagemaster Award
For the schools that put the most books directly into students’ hands

This award goes to the coordinators who are truly moving the needle on literacy, the ones who measure success in books per child.

National Winner (Fall & Spring 2025): Heather Jones at Mason Elementary & Intermediate School in Mason, Ohio,  who put over 3,700 books into students’ hands through Literati Book Fairs this year.

Fall 2025 Texas Winner: Mandy Andrews at Barbers Hill Elementary North in Mont Belvieu, Texas, who put over 3,000 books into students’ hands in a single week.

Spring 2025 Texas Winner: Angela Gregory at Woods Elementary in Tyler, Texas with an astounding 3,412 books sent home with her community.

Literati Familiar Face Award
For schools that have grown with Literati since the very beginning

This award celebrates the coordinators who took a chance on Literati when they were the ‘new kids on the block’ and helped shape what this amazing book fair program is today. These nominees are partnering with Literati to write the future of book fairs together.

2025 National & Texas Winner: Jennifer Chen at Cora Spencer Elementary in Grand Prairie, Texas who has now hosted nine book fairs with Literati, with two more already on the calendar for 2026 and 2027. That’s a partnership built to last.

Literati Online Superhero Award
For schools that made sure every family could shop  anytime, anywhere

These coordinators didn’t wait for the book fair doors to open to start building excitement. By promoting both online and in-person shopping, they made the fair accessible to every student, no matter their family’s schedule.

Fall 2025 National Winner: Katie Steele at Redwood Day School in Oakland, California with over $2,200 in online sales.

Fall 2025 Texas Winner: Kirsten Funderburk at St. Michael’s Catholic Prep School with $876 in online sales, proving a focused effort can make a real difference.

Spring 2025 National Winner: Liz Hinker at Minster Elementary in Minster, Ohio with a staggering $6,103 in online sales alone. When you give families a digital front door, they show up.

Spring 2025 Texas Winner: Avery Preston at St. Michael Catholic School in Houston, Texas with nearly $1,300 in online sales.

Literati Gift Card Champions
For schools leading the way in the safest book fair shopping

Fall 2025 Texas Winner: Amy Freedman at Hidden Forest Elementary in San Antonio  had $9,137 in gift card redemptions, making the fair accessible to every reader.

We’ve all seen it: the heartbroken first grader who lost their five-dollar bill somewhere between the bus and the library. Gift cards solve that. The money stays safe, checkout moves faster, and every student gets to participate. The money that parents send to school goes directly toward books, while making the checkout process faster and easier for every volunteer in the room. These schools leaned into that model, and their communities responded.

Fall 2025 National Winner: Deanna Martin at American Heritage School in Palm Beach, Florida with an incredible $20,607 in gift card engagement.

Spring 2025 National Winner: Luann Newbanks at Franklin Academy Pembroke Pines K–8 in Florida saw $11,644 in gift card engagement.

Spring 2025 Texas Winner: Sara Smith at Roosevelt Alexander Elementary in Katy, Texas had an outstanding $7,800 in gift card redemptions in May 2025.

Literati Class Act Award
For schools that rallied their communities to fill classroom libraries

This award goes to the coordinator who didn’t just set up a digital teacher wishlist; she activated it. She rallied her staff, brought parents into the vision, and made sure books landed directly in the hands of the teachers who needed them most.

The 2025 Class Act winner literally doubled her school’s total sales by leaning into this one feature alone,  generating $8,375 in targeted wishlist purchases. Literati was so impressed, they wrote this case study about it to share with schools nationwide.

2025 National Winner: Allison Merrick at St. Anne School in Houston, Texas. If you want a model for what’s possible with digital teacher wishlists, this is it.

Literati Best Sequel Award
For schools that didn’t just repeat their success, they topped it

These coordinators came back for another season and raised the bar. Significantly.

Fall 2025 National Winner: Janet Miscavage at JC Ellis Elementary in Metairie, Louisiana, who grew from $3,600 to over $8,000 in sales, a 122% increase.

Fall 2025 Texas Winner: Samantha Wilson at J.W. Monday Elementary in Kaufman, Texas was up 82%, from $3,300 to over $6,100. How’d she do it? Samantha launched a “Book Buddies” program that brought community members into the library to read with students. By the time the book fair arrived, the whole town was already invested. It’s a beautiful example of what happens when you build community first.

Spring 2025 National Winner: Liz Hinker at Minster Elementary in Minster, Ohio (a double winner!) who went from nearly $7,000 to over $16,700, a jaw-dropping 140% growth in a single year.

Spring 2025 Texas Winner: Charlene Riley at China Spring Primary School saw a strong 69% jump to over $7,000 this spring.

Literati Magic Makers Award
For the schools that transformed their library with creative, immersive decorations

These coordinators didn’t just host a book fair;  they built a world. Their students walked into an experience that sparked reading excitement the moment students walked through the doors. This award celebrates the creativity and heart that makes a fair unforgettable.

Fall 2025 National Winner: Sue Borain at King’s Ridge Christian School in Alpharetta, Georgia  who turned her library into an enchanted Everglow Forest.

Fall 2025 Texas Winner: Keri Garcia at Central Elementary in Lubbock, Texas who also created a stunning Everglow Forest transformation.

Spring 2025 National & Texas Winner: Ann Shafer at Jean Stewart Elementary in Montgomery, Texas created an absolute destination with the Story Arcade theme. Students walked in and were transported.

Could You Be Next?

Nominations are now open for the 2026–27 Literati Book Fair Magic Maker Awards! If you go all-in on your Literati Book Fair decorations, you can submit your photos and videos here from your Spring 2026 or Fall 2026 Literati Book Fair. Entries are due by December 31, 2026.

And if you’re planning your next fair, Campfire Magic is the theme for Fall 2026 , and your school community is going to love it. Your students will  be collecting books like badges at the cozy reading campground you’ll create!

The Literati Book Fair Awards exist because what you do every day deserves to be celebrated. Literati continues to redefine what a book fair can and should be for children across our country. Here’s to all the librarians who show up for their students, season after season, fair after fair.

Happy reading!

If there’s one thing school librarians know, it’s that finding the right elementary book series can be a total game-changer for young readers! When students fall in love with a series, something magical happens.  Because the characters, settings, and vocabulary are already familiar, they can focus on following more complex storylines and exploring deeper emotional themes, all while building reading stamina, fluency, and comprehension along the way.

Literati Book Fairs bring together the best of both worlds when it comes to series books. You’ll find beloved favorites your students already know and love: InvestiGators, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the Food Group Series, and popular media tie-ins like Disney, My Little Pony, Hot Wheels, and Barbie. You don’t need me to tell you that many of your students want to see a new Roblox, Minecraft or Moana story when the book fair cases roll into your school. 

With Literati, your students can shop from favorite series and media tie-ins, but they’ll also find exciting new series just waiting to be discovered. With partnerships spanning a wide variety of publishers, Literati is dedicated to helping your students find their next great read, whether it’s a treasured favorite or a brand new obsession.

Here are seven series that elementary school students are currently loving at Literati Book Fairs. They are well worth adding to your school library collection.

Pocket Peaches by Dora Wang is a cozy, irresistible graphic novel series that your students will absolutely fall for! Centered on themes of friendship and self-acceptance, the adorable animal characters are just the beginning of what makes this series so special.

Here’s a feature that makes Pocket Peaches an extra thoughtful addition to your collection: the series uses a dyslexia-friendly font, making it a wonderful choice for a wide range of readers. Your campus reading specialist will be thrilled to have these titles on hand for students in reading intervention, and every student deserves a fun, feel-good series to call their own!

If your Dog Man fans are always asking for “something just like this one,” Bunny vs. Monkey by Jamie Smart might be exactly the elementary book series you’ve been looking for! This wildly popular graphic novel series from the UK is everything your most enthusiastic readers love: hilarious, wacky, inventive, and bursting with color on every page.

The premise is irresistible: Monkey is power-mad, gadget-obsessed, and hilariously incompetent, convinced that his spaceship has landed on a brand new world when really, he’s crash-landed in a nearby forest where Bunny is determined to keep the peace. It’s the kind of book that will have your students giggling out loud and reaching for the next one before they’ve even finished the first!

Get ready for some seriously magical cuteness! The Magic Pet Shop by Matilda Rose is a charming picture book series from the UK featuring the most wonderfully imaginative pets you’ve ever seen: like pugicorns, kitticorns, starwhals, and pandarinas. Beautifully illustrated and brimming with color, these stories are published in the US under the name When You Adopt series, so keep an eye out for both names when placing orders.

Each story weaves in a heartfelt SEL message about friendship and accepting differences, making this series as meaningful as it is adorable. A perfect addition to your read-aloud rotation and your social-emotional learning shelves!

From Marcus Emerson, author of the beloved Diary of a Sixth Grade Ninja, comes Kid YouTuber, a heavily illustrated chapter book series that is practically guaranteed to hook your most reluctant readers! Davy is determined to make viral YouTube videos with the help of his friends, and the adventures that follow (pranks, school lunch reviews, and undercover missions) are exactly the kind of fast-paced, hilarious fun that keeps pages turning.

This is one of those wonderful books to share with students who insist they don’t like reading. They won’t even realize they’ve become readers until they’re already asking for the next one!

If you haven’t yet discovered the Voice of the Wilderness elementary book series by Rosanne Parry, now is the perfect time to add it to your collection! These celebrated middle grade novels have earned spots on many state award lists, and it’s easy to see why. Told from the perspective of wild animals (including wolves, a whale, and a horse) each book plunges readers into the natural world through the eyes of a remarkable animal facing real challenges and adventures.

And here’s a wonderful way to introduce the series to your students: Rosanne Parry has recorded a captivating 12-minute video where she shares the inspiration behind her books and gives viewers a peek inside her writing office in a treehouse. Trust us, that detail alone will have your students hooked before they’ve even opened the first page!

For the dog lovers in your library (and there are always plenty of them!) Dog’s Purpose Puppy Tales by W. Bruce Cameron is a middle grade fiction series that will have your students’ hearts absolutely full. Each book follows a different puppy on a journey to discover its purpose, from becoming a therapy dog at a nursing home to working in search and rescue, all centered on the beautiful, unbreakable bond between dogs and their humans.

What makes this series especially library-friendly are the thoughtful extras tucked into each book: occasional illustrations, activity pages, and discussion questions that make these popular titles as useful for library read-alouds or book clubs as they are beloved by independent readers. This is a  wonderful series to have on your shelves and one your dog-loving students will come back to again and again!

If your students are always doodling in the margins of their notebooks, Drawing Chibi by Tessa Creative Art is the series they didn’t know they needed! These wonderfully engaging books guide young artists through step-by-step instructions for drawing adorable kawaii pets, food, fantasy characters, spooky creatures, and so much more, making them perfectly accessible even for beginners.

Beyond the pure fun of learning to draw, this series offers something that’s increasingly valuable in your library collection: a screen-free creative hobby that students can pick up, practice, and enjoy for years to come. If your drawing books are looking a little tired and dated, the Drawing Chibi series is exactly the refresh your art shelf has been waiting for!

Adding the right series books to your collection can truly transform the reading culture at your school, and I hope this list has given you some fresh, exciting options to explore! Whether your students are drawn to graphic novels, animal adventures, creative hobbies, or laugh-out-loud humor, there’s something on this list for every kind of reader. These Literati Book Fair favorites have already won over students across the country, and we have a feeling your school library will be no different. 

And if you’re looking for standalone titles to add to your elementary school library collection, check out this blog post about recent bestsellers!

Happy reading!

I sat down with Aubrey Poole, book curator for Literati Book Fairs and former editor at several New York City publishing houses, to get her expert recommendations. With her deep knowledge of children’s literature and access to rich data on what kids are actually reading and loving, she’s sharing school library books you’ll be excited to add to your shelves and weave into your library lessons.

One thing that sets Literati apart? They partner with more than 100 publishers and imprints each season, which means their fairs go far beyond the usual bestseller lists. Literati shines a light on deserving new releases and hidden gem series that might otherwise fly under the radar,  making every fair a wonderful opportunity for discovery.

Behind every Literati book fair is a publishing industry insider like Aubrey, a curator who knows the market and handpicks titles from a range of publishers, so your case isn’t just stocked by one publisher but a thoughtful mix of crowd-pleasers and discoveries your students haven’t found yet. Because these are trade editions, the same as you find in a bookstore, you won’t spend your week processing returns for books with flimsy bindings and pages that fall apart after one read. Whether they’re flying off the fair table or settling onto your library shelves, you can trust that every title represents the caliber of book your students deserve and will actually want to read again.

Picture Books for Your School Library

Can you already picture which students would be begging to check this one out based on the cover alone? Floof by Heidi McKinnon follows the cutest, floofiest cat through a wonderfully mischievous day, and it’s an instant hit with young readers.

What makes this book especially great for your library lessons is the playful tension between the illustrations and the text. The pictures tell a slightly different story than the words, making it a perfect springboard for read-aloud discussions. With just one or two sentences per page, it’s wonderfully accessible, and underneath all the fun and floof is a sweet, meaningful message about self-love, self-care, and self-belief, the kind that sparks great conversations with your students.

Meet the quokka, possibly the most deceptively cheerful-looking creature on the planet! I Am Not Happy! by Caroline Perry is a delightful reminder to your students that appearances aren’t always what they seem, making it a perfect conversation starter about empathy and not judging others by how they look on the outside.

I Am Stuck by Julia Mills is a charming story about an upside-down turtle whose friends rally around him with plenty of creative suggestions for getting un-stuck. The expressive watercolor cartoons bring warmth and humor to a relatable message: that friendship and togetherness can help us work through the tough emotions that sometimes leave us feeling, well, stuck! And here’s a bonus for your lesson planning: the author/illustrator has created a helpful Educator’s Guide that makes bringing this book into your library lessons even easier.

Who better than the internet’s favorite chill animal to teach us about the importance of friendship boundaries? Capybara Is Friends With Everyone by Maddie Frost pairs colorful, irresistible illustrations with a story that will have your students laughing out loud, all while absorbing an important lesson about healthy friendships and knowing when it’s okay to set limits with others.

If your students go wild for adorable characters, Fluffy McWhiskers: Cuteness Explosion by Stephen W. Martin and illustrated by Dan Tavis is absolutely a book you can judge by its cover, and they will! Fluffy is so impossibly cute that anyone who sees her literally explodes into sparkles and fireworks. But beneath all that delightful chaos is a heartfelt story about self-acceptance, friendship, and finding your people, even when you’re a little too much for everyone around you.

Will Fluffy be destined to live alone on an island, or can she find a friend who can handle all that cuteness? Your students will be cheering her on until the very last page.

And don’t miss the storytime event kit from Simon & Schuster, complete with printable stickers (a fun, ready-made addition to your library lesson)!

Lucky by Christy Mandin is a lovely, funny read-aloud your students will enjoy. When an adorable pearl named Lucky’s home is crushed by trash, she sets off to find a new one and discovers something even better: a true friend. It’s a warm, engaging story that weaves together themes of community and conservation in a way that feels natural and meaningful for young readers.

Keep an eye out for the rich ocean details tucked throughout the illustrations. They’re a wonderful springboard for discussion and pair beautifully with science lessons about ocean habitats and taking care of our environment.

Add A Bold Pumpkin Plan by Katy Hudson to your fall read-aloud lineup! A shy hedgehog enlists the help of new friends to build his dream pumpkin house, but also learns to appreciate and enjoy his quiet time alone. It’s a sweet, cozy story that balances themes of friendship and self-discovery in a way that will resonate with many of your students.

And here’s a bonus that makes this one extra lesson-plan friendly: these activity sheets from Capstone invite your students to flex their STEM skills and design a pumpkin house of their very own. A perfect pairing for fall!

Greenlight by Breanna Carzoo tells the story of a green light who feels left out and rejected; after all, cars speed away from her instead of slowing down and stopping like they do for yellow and red. It’s a clever, relatable premise that will spark an instant connection with students who have ever felt overlooked or different.

And the accolades speak for themselves: Greenlight has earned starred reviews from both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly for its heartfelt message about self-acceptance and letting your own light shine. A wonderful addition to any library’s social-emotional learning collection!

Middle Grade Fiction for your School Library

If your older elementary students have been asking for love stories, Jane Stays Dreaming by Britnee Meiser is about to become your new go-to recommendation! This charming romcom follows shy Jane, who blogs under a pseudonym about a glamorous, fantasy version of her life, complete with a perfect boyfriend and fabulous friends. But as her double life gets harder to maintain, she’ll also have to navigate the very real challenges of digital citizenship and cyberbullying.

It’s a fun, relatable read that sneaks in some genuinely important conversations about life in the digital age, making it a fantastic addition to your collection for upper elementary readers.

This book is a must-have if you don’t already have it on your shelves! The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass is a New York Times bestseller that has earned a spot on many state award lists, and it continues to fly off the cases at Literati Book Fairs.

This heartwarming mystery is told in alternating viewpoints by three unforgettable narrators: a cat, a sixth grader, and a librarian. Together, they unravel the mystery of a beloved town library that burned down 20 years ago. It’s the kind of school library book that reminds students  (and the rest of us) just how magical and irreplaceable libraries truly are.

If you’re looking to grow your horror collection, Finders Keepers by Jeff Strand is a thrilling new addition to consider! This spine-tingling story follows a scavenger hunt through a spooky graveyard, with challenges that keep getting creepier with every turn of the page, perfect for students who love a good scare.

Here’s a fun bonus for your reader advisory toolkit: although Jeff Strand typically writes for young adults, his Eek! Series is crafted specifically for a middle-grade audience. That means you can confidently hand this one to your younger horror fans today, knowing they’ll have a beloved author to grow with all the way through middle school and high school. A great way to build lifelong readers!

Chapter Books for Your School Library

If your copy of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is falling apart at the seams (and let’s be honest, whose isn’t?), Urban Legends to Scare Your Socks Off! is exactly the kind of replacement or companion title your horror fans have been waiting for. This collection of eight deliciously spooky short stories is part of Capstone’s Stories to Scare Your Socks Off series, and it delivers all the campfire classic tales your students already love whispering about. Think Bloody Mary, Mothman, and more.

It’s the perfect book to hand to students who can’t get enough of spine-tingling scares!

Kate Messner’s Wildlife Rescue series has a wonderful new addition, and it’s one your animal-loving readers will be eager to get their hands on! How to Save an Otter follows Ivy and her family (all trained in wildlife rescue) as they care for an injured river otter cub. Told in short, easy-to-read chapters, it’s a great choice for growing readers who are ready for a step up from picture books but aren’t quite ready for longer chapter books.

What makes this series especially appealing is the way fascinating animal facts are woven naturally throughout the story, alongside themes of friendship and environmental stewardship, including Earth Day projects that could pair nicely with your own library programming. A perfect pick for your science and nature shelves!

Here’s a heartwarming series starter your animal lovers and newly-arrived students alike will connect with! Originally published in Australia, The Fairy Penguin by Tilda Kelly is the first book in the Baby Animal Friends series. When Millie moves to Australia and discovers a baby penguin orphaned by an oil spill, she springs into action and soon rallies her classmates to join her in knitting tiny sweaters for injured fairy penguins.

It’s a sweet, feel-good story that weaves together themes of rescue, resilience, environmental awareness, and the kind of friendship that grows when we work together toward something meaningful. A lovely addition to your nature and animal rescue shelves and a great conversation starter about how even young people can make a real difference!

Non-Fiction for your School Library

If you have students who can’t get enough of UFOs, aliens, ghosts, and things that go bump in the night, The Book of Weird Mysteries by Hawkins is about to become one of the most requested books in your library! This vividly illustrated collection examines the evidence behind 60 fascinating phenomena, from the Loch Ness Monster to paranormal happenings, while also exploring alternative explanations for these enduring myths and mysteries.

It’s a wonderful choice for curious, questioning readers who love to investigate and decide what they believe for themselves. A great addition to your nonfiction shelves!

Graphic Novels for you School Library

Looking for a new series that combines irresistible animal characters, stunning artwork, and real STEM concepts? The Rise of the G.E.M.S. by Marian Dealy checks all those boxes and more! The G.E.M.S. (Genetically Engineered Mice in Space) are lab mice who were altered in preparation for a NASA mission. When they discover that NASA plans to leave them orbiting in space forever, they must band together and use their unique mutations to survive and change their fate.

It’s a high-stakes, imaginative adventure that makes science genuinely exciting and accessible for young readers, and a fantastic series starter to add to your collection. Your budding scientists and animal lovers won’t be able to put it down!

Dream On by Shannon Hale is one of those graphic novels you’ll want to order multiple copies of because once your students discover it, the waitlist is going to be long! Bursting with daydreams and big feelings tucked into every thought bubble, this charming story follows Cassie, a girl who becomes convinced she can solve all of her problems by winning a contest.

Set in the landline phone era, Dream On captures the very relatable struggles of friendship drama and the beautiful chaos of growing up in a large family in a small house. It’s the kind of story that will have your students nodding along and saying “that’s so me!” A wonderful addition to your graphic novel collection!

If you have Minecraft fans and YouTube devotees in your library (and who doesn’t?), this is one new series you’ll want to get on your shelves right away! Aphmau: Searching for Home is the first book in a brand new graphic novel series from Aphmau, the top female gamer on YouTube, and it’s tailor-made for your most digitally-savvy readers.

The story follows a main character named Aphmau as she navigates the very relatable challenges of being the new girl but with a twist: her world has magically transformed into a video game. It’s a fun, imaginative premise that will hook reluctant readers and gaming enthusiasts alike from the very first page!

New School Library Books

We hope this list has given you some exciting new school library book titles to explore and share with your students! Whether you discovered a new favorite at your Literati Book Fair or are adding a few of these gems to your library collection, we’d love to hear how it goes. Which books did your students gravitate toward? Which titles found a happy new home on your shelves? 

Drop a comment in our Learning Librarians Facebook group and let us know; your recommendations might just help a fellow librarian find their next great read!

Happy reading!

When May rolls around, it’s time to think about graduation picture books as gifts, as well as titles to read aloud to students who are graduating to a different grade level or even a different school building. The amazing librarians in our Facebook group recommend these great picture books, to not only focus on growing and changing, but also to pull at the heartstrings:

• Maybe: A Story about the Endless Potential in All of Us by Kobi Yamada: Yamada invites readers to reflect on the possibilities within themselves and to stay resilient in the face of adversity. This is more of a gift/inspirational book than a read-aloud story with a plot, but it’s a great read to remind students of their unbounded potential.
• The Blur by Minh Le: Meet a child with superhero-like abilities and the parents who are racing to keep up with her in this sweetly funny picture book about the blur of childhood. A perfect gift and read-aloud to celebrate special milestones.
• The Very Last Leaf by Stef Wade: The last leaf on the tree is anxious about the new experience of letting go. He learns to be comfortable with himself and lets go of his fears.
• What the Road Said by Cleo Wade: It’s okay to be afraid or to sometimes wander down the wrong path. This graduation picture book encourages us to lead with kindness and curiosity, remembering that the most important thing we can do in life is to keep going.
• Be You by Peter Reynolds: A joyful reminder of the ways that every child is unique and special, this graduation picture book offers life advice for readers who want to be themselves while meeting life’s challenges.
• Will the Pigeon Graduate? by Mo Willems: Looking for laughs in your graduation picture book? Then don’t miss this familiar pigeon and his dramatic personality facing the nerves, excitement and uncertainty that come with graduation.
• I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal: Full of endless good wishes to a child, this inspirational book will wish your graduates “more ups than downs’ and “more will than hill.”
• Little Tree by Loren Long: This story of the seasons and stepping stones focuses on Little Tree who hugs his leaves as tightly as he can until he can finally take the leap and move past what is familiar.

• The Path by Bob Staake: This inspirational journey takes the reader over gentle, grassy hills, through fields of wildflowers, over raging rivers, up steep mountains, and even through a dark, chilly cave, with a message about choosing your own path through life’s twists and turns.
• The Boy and the Banyan Tree by Mahtab Narsimhan: A young boy discovers a magical banyan tree that doesn’t grant wishes, but instead encourages the boy to learn how to do things for himself. This book is often mentioned as an alternative to The Giving Tree.
• The World Belonged to Us by Jacqueline Woodson: It’s getting hot outside, hot enough to turn on the hydrants and run through the water–and that means it’s finally summer in the city! Released from school and reveling in their freedom, the kids on one Brooklyn block take advantage of everything summertime has to offer, just as your students are about to do.
• What is Love? by Mac Barnett: A boy sets out to find someone to answer a question that he asks his grandmother, and eventually his quest leads him back home. When he arrives home as a grown man, possessing some wisdom, and reunited with his grandmother (whom he lifts tenderly into his arms), he feels like he has found his answer.
• Yay, You! Moving Up and Moving On by Sandra Boynton: Boynton’s familiar characters encourage readers to make good choices as they enter the world. This book is often mentioned as an alternative to Oh the Places You’ll Go.
• Courage by Bernard Waber: This book will help prompt conversations with children about how to face difficult situations with courage and what that might look like. It focuses on both the big and small actions of ordinary people, like being the first to make up after an argument.
• Wherever You Go by Pat Zietlow Miller: Illustrations and rhyming text follow a young rabbit as he leaves home on a journey, discovering the joys of different kinds of roads and what they may bring, including a way back home.

• You Will Do Great Things by Amerie: A young boy’s imagination takes off as he gazes at family photos, whisking him off on a fantastical journey. Along the way, the boy tries exciting and bold new things, ventures into unexplored worlds, and forms deep connections with his multicultural heritage and the ancestors who imbue him with the strength and courage to make a difference.
• After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again by Dan Santat: In this graduation picture book, Humpty Dumpty is an avid bird watcher whose favorite place to be is high up on the city wall, until after his famous fall. Now terrified of heights, Humpty can longer do many of the things he loves most. Will he be able to get back up again?
• If I Never Forever Endeavor by Holly Meade: Safe inside his cozy nest, a young bird considers whether or not to give his new wings a try. What if he tries and the wings don’t work, and he flails, plummets, and looks foolish? Then again, what if his wings take him swooping and gliding, sailing and flying through a great big wonderful world?
• Ready to Soar by Cori Doerrfeld: Riley’s paper airplane is ready for take-off, but criticisms from all the birds threaten to ground the plane, until Riley meets a more supportive friend and rediscovers the joy of soaring.
• The Sky Is the Limit by Lisa Swerling: This rhyming picture book celebrates the many delightful, triumphant, silly, sweet, life-changing experiences that lie ahead. “Lessons to learn / and books to be read… / each holding a glimpse / of what lies ahead.” 

Whether you tuck one inside a gift bag or share it aloud on the last day of school, a graduation picture book has a quiet power that lingers long after the final page is turned. The best ones don’t just mark the moment; they give children language for the feelings they can’t quite name yet: the bittersweetness of leaving something beloved, the nervous flutter of what comes next, and the deep-down knowing that they are ready. As teachers and librarians, you already understand that the right book at the right time is a gift that compounds with age. So as backpacks get emptied and bulletin boards come down, consider sending your students forward with a story in their hands … and a few of its words tucked quietly in their hearts.

Happy reading!

You shelve the books, teach the research skills, host the reading challenges, and somehow still find time to be the calm in the middle of the school day’s chaos. You are the heart of your campus, the leader of your reading culture. So when was the last time something was made specifically for you?

That’s exactly the gap that this school librarian magazine was created to fill.

Library Bright Ideas is a new membership and digital magazine built exclusively for elementary school librarians. It’s not a generic education newsletter with a library section tucked in the back. It’s not a Facebook group drowning in off-topic posts. It’s a thoughtfully designed resource that speaks directly to the joys, challenges, and everyday realities of running an elementary school library.

What You Get When You Join

At the core of the membership is a quarterly digital school librarian magazine delivered right to your inbox. Formatted as a flippable PDF, it’s packed with fresh ideas, practical resources, and the kind of inspiration that makes you want to dive back into your library on Monday morning. Whether you’re looking for new library lessons, ways to boost student engagement, fun reading promotions, or just a reminder that what you do matters, this magazine delivers.

But the membership doesn’t stop there. When you join, you also gain access to a members-only online community hosted on Skool (not Facebook). It’s a warm, active discussion group where you can ask questions, share what’s working in your library, and connect with fellow librarians who truly understand your world. Think of it as a cozy virtual staff lounge, minus the burnt coffee.

A Membership That Gives Back

Here’s what makes Library Bright Ideas especially worth talking about: a portion of every membership fee goes directly toward funding library-related DonorsChoose grants submitted by members. That means when you subscribe, you’re not just investing in your own professional growth, you’re helping fund real library projects for real kids. Your membership ripples outward in the best possible way.

Members also have the opportunity to share their own DonorsChoose projects with the community, and there’s even an affiliate program that pays you for spreading the word to your librarian colleagues.

Our First School Librarian Magazine Issue

The annual subscription costs less than the price of a hardcover picture book, and gives you access to a quarterly magazine, a supportive community, and grant opportunities. Schools can also pay by purchase order, making it easy to get administrative approval.

Here’s a peek inside our first issue of Library Bright Ideas school librarian magazine, launching July 1, 2026:

• Light Up Reading with a Glow Party
• Semester-long projects with STEM, novel studies, and museum-style exhibits
• How to Host an Amazing Author Visit
• Connecting through Countries with Hands-On Stations
• Building Ralph’s Dream Home to incorporate STEAM with The Mouse and the Motorcycle
• Creating Intentional Family Connections at Open House
• 4th and 5th Grade Chapter Book Tasting
• Google Slides choice boards
• Back to School Scavenger Hunts for PK-5th grades
• Speech Bubble Scavenger Hunt with Graphic Novels

Whether you’re a veteran librarian with decades of cataloging wisdom or you’re still figuring out where everything goes, Library Bright Ideas was built for you. Visit librarybrightideas.com to learn more and grab your subscription to the school librarian magazine that’s built by school librarians, for school librarians.

You pour so much into your library. It’s time someone poured back into you.

This year, instead of store bought décor, consider letting your students do the decorating.

I love transforming our library for Saint Patrick’s Day with student book reviews displayed on shamrocks. It is festive, yes. But even better, it is purposeful. Every shamrock becomes a tiny billboard for reading joy.

I created a simple shamrock book review form that is available as part of this resource on TPT. The goal was to keep it easy, inviting, and quick enough that students would actually want to participate. The download also includes an “I Can” sign for your center, so students know exactly what to do without needing a long explanation.

Setting it up is wonderfully simple. Copy the book review forms onto green paper if you have it. Place them in a basket or tray. Add pencils, markers, or crayons. Put the “I Can” sign in a stand or frame. That is it. No complicated prep. No elaborate instructions.

In our library, the shamrock book review center quickly became a little hub of happy chatter. Students browsed the shelves, settled in with books, and then eagerly filled out shamrocks about stories they loved. Some wrote about graphic novels that made them laugh out loud. Others shared heartfelt recommendations for chapter books they could not put down. A few even convinced their friends to check out a title on the spot.

And here is the magic: students truly listen to each other.

We can book talk. We can create beautiful displays. We can spotlight new arrivals. But when a student sees a peer’s handwriting saying, “This book is amazing because…” that recommendation carries a special kind of sparkle. It feels authentic. It feels relatable. It feels possible.

Displaying the shamrocks is half the fun. You can create a bulletin board shaped like a giant patch of clover. You can scatter shamrocks across a wall like reading confetti. You can hang them from the ceiling so they float above your shelves. You can even create a “Lucky to Love Reading” display and watch it grow all month long.

The visual impact is immediate. The room turns green. The walls feel alive. And the decorations actually mean something.

Beyond the festive look, this activity builds important literacy skills. Students practice summarizing without even realizing it. They reflect on what they enjoyed and why. They think about audience. They write with purpose. Even reluctant writers often feel more willing to complete a short, focused review than a longer assignment.

It also fosters ownership. When students see their shamrock displayed in the library, they light up. They point it out to friends. They bring teachers over to see it. The library becomes a shared creation, not just a space they visit.

If you teach multiple grade levels, you can adapt the expectations. Younger students might draw a picture and write a simple sentence. Older students can include favorite quotes, themes, or a persuasive sentence explaining who would enjoy the book most. The format is flexible, but the heart of the activity remains the same: readers sharing with readers.

As March rolls in and you start thinking about decorating, consider letting your students “green up” the room with their voices. Saint Patrick’s Day becomes more than shamrocks and sparkle. It becomes a celebration of community.

A library filled with student book reviews is a powerful thing. It whispers from every wall: we read here. We share here. We belong here.

And that might just be the luckiest decoration of all.