Another vote for Usborne Books. The rep actually sets up and helps take orders and does inventory. They also offer a great reading incentive program/fundraiser where 100-110% of the money raised goes back to the students and the school in books, or a combo of books and cash. It's called Reach for the Stars.
Plus, no Spongebob or Dora, but a lot of chapter books, non-fiction and all different reading levels. Books start at $3.99 and they have a huge selection of non-fiction hardcovers for $4.99. You can see the line at goreadtoday dot com, and then search for a local consultant.
Someone mentioned looking at another book company for fundraising. I don't know if this is what you're looking for, but I have bought Personalized Children's Books and my kids love them (ages 7 and 9). There's a fundraising link on their site. Here's the website: www.personalchildrensbooks.com
This is an update to my original post. Scholastic finally found the misplaced credit card charges (they found them at another school). We had our book fair February 8th and it took them until last week (May 8th) to find them.
i also live in california. we also use scholastic but are trying a new company as well next year(we do two fairs a year). the books r fun rep has been very helpful. there prices are great and they are expanding their merchandise now to have more chapter books. they will set it up for you either to have the lowest prices or add $s if you want to use it as a fundraiser. you can look them up at www.booksrfun.com
Just wanted to add that it's not that I don't like Scholastic or have had a problem at our current school, because I haven't. It would just be nice to do something different at the new school.
Our school has used Scholastic for years and have been always happy until this year. We just had our spring book fair and never recieved one call or visit from our rep. They showed up two days early with the books withour arranging early delivery with us. i made calls but never received any reply. We had a great rep but her boss is now our rep which really stinks. We have noticed that all of a sudden the customer isnt the first thing anymore. If I could find someone else I would switch just to see how we would be treated. Let me also note that i sent a letter with our check explaning my unhappiness(no reply) but received a contract for next year that needs to be sign within a month...or course I haven't yet
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
