Book stand attracts children, parents at Spooky Streets of Saxonburg
SAXONBURG — Among the vendors at Spooky Streets of Saxonburg on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Saxonburg Museum, Kimberli Rodgers’ tent filled with children’s books and activities attracted children and parents alike.
What started as a way for her to socialize with other moms in 2019 when she lived in Bedford has since turned into a traveling tent that heads out every weekend to different festivals and vendor shows.
“Reading is important,” Rodgers said. “I always loved book fairs when I was a kid, and this feels like a traveling book fair.”
Rodgers runs the business as a brand partner with PaperPie, which allows partners to sell Educational Development Corporation products and others through consignment. The products include Kane Miller Books, Usborne children’s books, Learning Wrap-ups and SmartLab Toys, which makes STEM and STEAM-based toys and games for children. STEAM adds “arts” to the typical “science, technology, engineering and math.”
“I really like being able to get books into kids’ hands,” Rodgers said.
Several of the books come with an audiobook version, and others help parents teach their children reading comprehension with questions in the back.
Rodgers said children will often notice the stand first with all the colorful art and activities, but parents also will bring their children over if they see a book they read as a child and want their child to share the experience.
“It’s a nice way for a mom to be able to get out and socialize while providing books for her family and other families,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers offers books ranging from early development to teenage entertainment.
“Grandparents love to buy them for their grandkids,” she said.
