Carry the theme over to a table display. Position it in a high-traffic area near your Book Fair entrance to promote special books.

Cost: Less than $5
Time: Half an hour

Here's what you need:

• Couple yards of burlap
• Couple yards of heavyweight cotton
• Small cardboard box
• Wooden Ruler or twig
• Rope, bandanas, gold nuggets, bricks, rubber snake

Here's what you do:

• Cover your table with the two different cloths to add texture and drama to our western-themed table.
• Add height by placing a small cardboard box beneath the cloth.
• Attach our "Lasso a Great Book" (PDF) sign.
• Tape the cardboard sign to a wooden ruler (it was handy, but why not use a twig?), and then affix to the box.
• Make it fun by adding rope, bandanas, gold nuggets, easy-to-make paper-plate hats, a cardboard wagon wheel (PDF), some salvaged bricks, and a rubber snake.

Shelf Talker
The "shelf talker" (PDF) is used on tables or bookcases. These signs are decorative as well as helpful, to be scripted to your needs. Some suggestions to get you started:

• Support our Classroom Wish List!
• [Teacher's name] Recommends
• Principal's Pick
• Project Book
• Check This Out!
• Really Funny Book! [Make sure it really is funny]
• To Support [list school assignment]
• Don't Miss This One!
• Write Your Own