Summer Book Clubs
Autumn Brown of Beginning to End Bookstore in Lewiston , MI , offers a B2E Kid ’ s Club punch card yearround . When kids receive 10 hole punches on their card , they can choose a prize from the gift basket . Prizes or money for the prizes are often donated from many of the customers who are aware of the program .
Earning a hole punch is easy . Just by coming into the store and talking with Autumn , kids can receive a punch on their card — no purchase necessary . Of course , purchasing a book and reading a book will get them one too . They could even receive a double punch for special events like making a video of themselves reading to their pets or siblings .
Autumn keeps the program active and encourages students to participate by posting on the store ’ s Facebook page . She has also had success with handing out cards to students at the local schools . Because she carries classics , some general market chapter books and other books in her used book area , schools are permitted to share her program information with students .
Autumn says that her goal is to get students accustomed to coming into the bookstore . She wants them to feel comfortable coming through the door — to know that it ’ s a safe place .
And since summer reading is not just for kids , Bible Supplies in North Platte , NE , has also done a virtual road
trip event by weekly posting about a fiction book or series located in different countries or states . Featured books included Irene Hannon ’ s Hope Harbor series in Oregon and Dani Pettrey ’ s Alaskan Courage series .
“ This is a fun way to encourage people to stay local and travel through a book ,” Alyssa Fabik says .
Stores can host a travel-themed event for readers of all ages around books that take them on adventures . Create a passport book list that can be stamped when each book is read . Give a ticket to redeem for select merchandise , such as clearance or non-returnable items you want to clear out . With the selection of books in your store , a world of possibilities awaits . CRA
18 CRA today / www . christianretailassociation . org