Book Fair

Goddard Riverside Book Fair to Transform into Summertime Children’s Book Giveaway

“We have loved sharing the Book Fair with you every November for the last 35 years,” said Goddard Riverside Executive Director Roderick L. Jones. “But the publishing world is changing, and this event must change too.” 

Press Release

While the Book Fair was previously held on the weekend before Thanksgiving and offered brand-new books in all categories for half-price, the redesigned event will occur in the summer and distribute children’s books for free. There are a number of factors behind the changes, including consolidation that has left fewer publishers to donate books to the Fair, and modern printing processes that create fewer excess copies. 

Goddard Riverside would like to thank the publishers, volunteers and Book Fair shoppers for your support. We hope to see you at our other events throughout the year, including the new children’s book giveaway! 

“Reading is so important to a child’s developing mind. We’re excited about feeding a love of books among all the young people in the neighborhoods we serve,” said Jones. “Publishers have not only donated books and helped us run the Fair for all these years; they have also played a huge role on our Board and have been some of our greatest supporters. We are grateful and look forward to maintaining that relationship.”

Press Release

Share your Book Fair memories

As a tribute to the fair, we are collecting photos and materials from past Book Fairs. 

  • If you have any great old photos you’d like to share, please upload them here
  • If you’d like to share your favorite memory of the Book Fair, please do so here

*By uploading a photo you herby give permission to Goddard Riverside (the Organization) to use your images or video, solely for the purposes of the Organization in promotional material, such as brochures, calendars, videos, newsletters, news articles and the agency web site, and waive any rights of compensation or ownership. Please do not upload any images of someone else without their consent.