Halloween Release Challenge
by Spiritwolf922October 14, 2004
Last Halloween, on the spur of the moment, my daughter and I registered several of her old books on Bookcrossing and sat them on the front porch next to the candy bowl, which was filled with sweets for the trick-or-treaters making their way through our
neighborhood.
When the kids arrived, they'd share a joke or other "trick" in order to get a treat, but when they discovered I had books to hand out, many of the kids lost interest in the sugary snacks completely. The way their eyes lit up, and the joy in their voices as they said goodbye with their "new" (remember, these were my daughter's books!) books, gave me the inspiration to gather up some books throughout the year and actually *prepare* for this year's Halloween. (I did give each kid a treat with their book, though!)
I have gathered some 35 or so children's books, some of which have a Halloween theme, and registered them on Bookcrossing. They are in a "reserved" status, and I'm going to log which books actually get chosen by the kids who visit on October 31. Anything leftover will be changed to "available" status. The books are for a wide range of ages, from preschool to teen, and I'm hoping for as good a response as I received last year.
In addition to the books, this year I plan on including a short note to parents, explaining the concept and purpose of Bookcrossing, in hopes that I will have a few "hits" this time. Unfortunately, I did not have a note with the books last year, and as a result, I didn't get a single journal entry.
My challenge to other Bookcrossers: It's still early. If your child has some books that they have "outgrown" and you can stand to part with them, register a few, and see how receptive your area's trick or treaters respond to the choice of books or candy (or a book and a small piece of candy). If nothing else, it can help cut down on the number of cavities in your neighborhood! Prepare a short note, addressed to the parents, that you can stick into the book, explaining about Bookcrossing and that they can make an ANONYMOUS journal entry. Parents, as a rule, do not like to give out ANY information on their kids. (As a parent, I agree with that, so if I didn't know what Bookcrossing was, I'd like to know that it would be acceptable to be anonymous.) Release some books on Halloween to your trick-or-treaters. The reaction you receive may surprise you! Good luck!
When the kids arrived, they'd share a joke or other "trick" in order to get a treat, but when they discovered I had books to hand out, many of the kids lost interest in the sugary snacks completely. The way their eyes lit up, and the joy in their voices as they said goodbye with their "new" (remember, these were my daughter's books!) books, gave me the inspiration to gather up some books throughout the year and actually *prepare* for this year's Halloween. (I did give each kid a treat with their book, though!)
I have gathered some 35 or so children's books, some of which have a Halloween theme, and registered them on Bookcrossing. They are in a "reserved" status, and I'm going to log which books actually get chosen by the kids who visit on October 31. Anything leftover will be changed to "available" status. The books are for a wide range of ages, from preschool to teen, and I'm hoping for as good a response as I received last year.
In addition to the books, this year I plan on including a short note to parents, explaining the concept and purpose of Bookcrossing, in hopes that I will have a few "hits" this time. Unfortunately, I did not have a note with the books last year, and as a result, I didn't get a single journal entry.
My challenge to other Bookcrossers: It's still early. If your child has some books that they have "outgrown" and you can stand to part with them, register a few, and see how receptive your area's trick or treaters respond to the choice of books or candy (or a book and a small piece of candy). If nothing else, it can help cut down on the number of cavities in your neighborhood! Prepare a short note, addressed to the parents, that you can stick into the book, explaining about Bookcrossing and that they can make an ANONYMOUS journal entry. Parents, as a rule, do not like to give out ANY information on their kids. (As a parent, I agree with that, so if I didn't know what Bookcrossing was, I'd like to know that it would be acceptable to be anonymous.) Release some books on Halloween to your trick-or-treaters. The reaction you receive may surprise you! Good luck!
