Three times a year, the alcove under the stairs at Boothbay Region Elementary School (BRES) is transformed into a book lover’s paradise. It’s a splash of color, beckoning young readers in and encouraging them to crack open the spine of what could be their next favorite read. And then there were the giant finger pointers, furry pens and funky erasers on display. BRES hosted its final Scholastic Book Fair of the school year the week of April 7 – 11. 

“Everyone loves the book fair. It’s a tradition,” said Shannon Leeman, president of the BRES Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO). The tri-annual event is put on by the PTO for pre-K – eighth grade students. It brings in about $4,000 - $5,000 for the organization, according to PTO treasurer Michele Barter. 

“Right now, we are trying to raise money for the Burnt Island Summer Camp, which is a good chunk of our budget,” said secretary Katrina Dunsmore. 

In addition to cash funds, the PTO earns “scholastic dollars” with which teachers can pick out books for their classrooms or re-stock the widely popular book vending machine. A mixture of these dollars and donated funds also covers students who may not be able to afford a book otherwise.   

This year’s popular lit picks were straight from the silver screen, with the recent release of “Dog Man” (2025) and the video game-inspired “Minecraft” (2025) keeping their book counterparts in high demand. Anything to do with the lovable blue alien Stitch from “Lilo & Stitch” (2002) was also a hit.  

Volunteers are always welcome for the annual book fairs. High schoolers can also participate and earn hours towards their required community service. PTO is now looking for help for Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5 – May 9) events. For more information, visit their Facebook page: Boothbay Region Elementary PTO