written by Rev. Samantha Meadors, Project Transformation Executive Director
There’s nothing quite like the joy of a book fair—the thrill of new stories waiting to be discovered, the excitement of finding just the right book to take home. For many of us, the only limitation was our pocket money.
But what if we removed that limitation?
This summer at Project Transformation Arkansas, we hosted a “free book fair” for the children in our program. Thanks to generous donations from churches and individuals across the state, pews in the chapel were lined with books—everything from chapter books to early readers. Favorites like Pete the Cat, Dog Man, and the Don’t Let the Pigeon series were quickly scooped up by eager hands.
Each child received a bag, but many needed a box to carry all their treasures home. One child counted 45 books—some for themselves, some for siblings, all to help build a home library. Their excitement was contagious, filling the space with squeals, laughter, and shouts of, “I found it!”
In a state where literacy continues to be one of the greatest barriers to a child’s future success, giving kids access to books—and the agency to choose them—is powerful. These moments are more than just fun; they’re formative. Children were not just receiving books; they were claiming ownership of their reading journeys.
So if you’re looking for a creative way to engage your community or church family: host a book fair! Bring out the books, remove the barriers, and let the reading commence.