J.E. Cosgriff Memorial gears up for annual Book Fair

Intermountain Catholic

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Linda Paoletti shares a story with school children to teach them what makes a good story as well as writing and illustration styles. IC photo/Christine Young

SALT LAKE CITY — J.E. Cosgriff Memorial School will hold its annual Book Fair co-sponsored by the King’s English Book Store Oct. 15-20.

On Oct. 17, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Cosgriff, the King’s English staff will discuss the most recent fiction and non-fiction titles for all ages and interests. The book talk will include books for adults and children.

"The Book Fair is a fundraiser for the library, but it’s more than that," said Linda Paoletti, Cosgriff librarian of 30 years. "From the beginning it’s been a community gathering to sell the books. Kids love it, and love coming into the library and picking out books. Parents love it and volunteer and the King’s English does a terrific job by bringing practically their whole children’s section over to the school for the book talks."

This week-long book celebration has been going on for about 20 years. Paoletti teaches students whose parents she taught and they continue to return to the Book Fair. "It’s that kind of community where everybody keeps coming back," she said.

"We have a teacher wish list table so that parents can buy books for the classrooms," Paoletti said. "We hold the Book Fair the same week as parent-teacher conferences so that it is convenient for parents. People also come by the Book Fair before and after Mass. A lot of parents buy books for their kids as a reward for good grades. The Judge Memorial students earn service hours by helping us set up and take down the fair and think it’s cool to see the books first and hide those they want their parents to purchase."

Paoletti’s love for books began when she taught junior high literature. "While I was pregnant with my first child, I decided I wanted to go into library science because I love sharing books with kids. It seemed like a perfect fit."

She took classes and ,when her youngest child started school at Cosgriff, the new library was just being completed. "My friend and I helped set up the library," Paoletti said. "Then half way through the year she moved and the job was mine."

"Linda Paoletti has demonstrated a tremendous dedication to the children for years, instilling in them an early desire and love of reading," said Melissa Clyne a Cosgriff parent, on behalf of the Book Fair committee. "The school has benefited from her service."

Paoletti instills a desire and a love of reading by teaching literature classes to the students when they are in pre-school. "I read them stories along with whatever theme they are studying," she said. "I use the Utah State curriculum for the kindergarten students. In kindergarten through second grade we study research and media literacy as well as literature. We study authors, writing styles and illustrative styles. We also talk about how a story comes together with chapters and what to look for in a good story. I talk about advertisements with the older kids and the value of media and how to evaluate it."

Paoletti has the students abstain from watching television for a week and write an essay about their experience. "Most of them say it was more fun than they thought, while a few say it was the worst experience of their life," she said. "I also have them do their own book talking, where they get their audience inspired to read a book without giving too much of the story away."

Paoletti loves her job because she is an avid reader. "This is a perfect job for me, and it’s fun," she said. "I love sharing with the kids and the families are wonderful."