OxfordPress.com

Students at Monroe Elementary School are participating in a safari in search of new books this week.

The semi-annual "One for Books" program by Scholastic Corporation begins Tuesday, Oct. 14 and wraps up Friday, Oct. 17 on Main Street at the Elementary School on Yankee Road.

The theme of the event that runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily is "Book Fair Safari," said Brenda Gehm, director of Library Services for Monroe Local Schools.

"The goal is to get books into the children's hands at a good price. The kids enjoy it and they love getting books," she said.

Students can buy as many books as they want — hard back or paper back — during the fair, which is held twice a year in the spring and fall, Gehm said. Books range from $3.99 to $19.99.

"There are good deals; ... There will be $2 books so that there are books available for all kids," she said.

The event is open to all Monroe students in grades 3-6, Gehm said.

Studies show that students who read excel in school, as well as life, school officials said.

In addition, "Book Fair Family Night," which allows families to come along with their kids to the event to buy books, will be 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 16, at the school. The event also includes face painting, math activities for parents and food during "Fall Fest" beginning at 5:30 p.m., she said.

Students also may donate spare change toward buying books for the school's "Gifts from the Heart" program in December. Plans call for one book, along with food and other items, to be placed in every holiday tub for needy children in the community, she said.

Proceeds from the book fair go toward bringing two authors to the school next year to visit with students.