School is right around the corner, which for many of us will mean early wake-up times, packed lunches and assigned reading. While we can’t change what time your alarm will go off, we can help kids squeeze a little more fun out of the end of summer. We’re thrilled to be hosting several local authors for a Kids’ Book Fair on Saturday, August 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come see us and show our kids that reading is cool, and that we have some super talented, accomplished artists right here in our community!

Authors will be on hand to sign books for young readers or as a gift. We’ll be giving away a Mehlenbacher Taffy to anyone who buys a book! Featured authors are Ivy Cayden, author of “Everything All at Once;Cindy Rankin, author of “Under the Ashes;” and Sommer Roman Sheffield, author/illustrator of “A Pig for Friendship.”

We asked our guest authors to recommend one of their favorite books.

Ivy, who you might see working away at a table at Spearhead Coffee, loves “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield. Cindy, a Paso Robles local since 1987 (“it’s the first hometown my husband and I chose for ourselves”), will always encourage a reader to pick up “I Capture the Castle” by Dodie Smith. And Sommer recently discovered “The Wonderful Fluffy Little Squishy” by Beatrice Alemagna. 

It’s also a good time to grab a fresh lunch bag for school or work. We carry a selection that’s unique and well made. Our SoYoung lunch bags and coolers are popular with all ages. The bags/coolers are PVC, phthalate, lead and BPA-free with a removable liner that’s easy to clean. We also love the simple bags from Fluf — 100 percent certified organic cotton with tested food safe lining, snap closures (easy for small hands!), preshrunk and machine washable with a wipeable and water-resistant lining. (Plus, the designs are a blast).

And don’t forget our Stasher reusable baggies, Bee’s Wrap for wrapping sandwiches, and the All Good Peppermint Hand Sanitizer: a must for every back-to-school kit! We’re sharpening our pencils, having one more Negranti ice cream sandwich, and getting ready to roll into Fall.  

Hope to see you at the Book Fair!

The Team at General Store Paso Robles