Love to Read A–Z

February 23, 2013
Burton Barr Central Library
Phoenix, Arizona

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Friends of the Phoenix Public Library invited Kids Need to Read to give books and Highlights magazines to children attending their event, Love to Read AZ! We were stationed at the library entrance and gave away hundreds of books and magazines to children and adolescents as they walked in. This is the third year the Friends group and Bookmans have brought the event to the Burton Barr Central Library. In addition to the free book giveaway, the celebration featured Story Time with Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and his family, musical guest Chuck Cheesman, a production by the Great Arizona Puppet Theater, raffles, literacy information tables, crafts, and meet & greets with Curious George, Bookbreath, BookMan, and Maya & Miguel.

Photographs © Robert Gary

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Denise and a team of library volunteers were set up at the library entrance to hand out book packs. © Robert Gary Book packs were filled with books, Highlights magazines, and bookmarks provided by Kids Need to Read. © Robert Gary The tables were constantly surrounded by kids picking up their packs. © Robert Gary We were greeted with smile after smile as we handed out the book packs. © Robert Gary © Robert Gary The joy was infectious! © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary Some kids started reading their books immediately. © Robert Gary These kids already had piles of library books! © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary Kids were excited to receive literacy stickers from the Phoenix Library Friends, too. © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary Although bags were color coded by age, some children asked for specific colors. © Robert Gary We complied with the color swaps most of the time, because who can resist someone like this little girl sweetly asking for a green bag to go with her pink jacket? © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary This little boy spotted the camera and kept on smiling and smiling at the lens. © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary The Friends were raffling off a color Nook and an Xbox 360 with Kinect. © Robert Gary After going to at least three activities or info tables, kids dropped off their stamped passports in the Friends raffle drop. © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary Sometimes, getting a book pack on called for a little help. © Robert Gary © Robert Gary A musical parade wanders through the library. © Robert Gary © Robert Gary Like the Pied Piper of Hamlin, Chuck Cheesman led the children to the auditorium for story time. © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary There was an extraordinary amount of Hello Kitty attire! © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary Bookmans' Book Man picked up a book, too. © Robert Gary Curious George says peace out. © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary These two were adorable in their glamorous sunglasses. © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary This boy liked Denise's KNTR “Take Me to Your Reader” alien t-shirt. © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary Some children had their faces painted. © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary The lucky winner of the Xbox 360! © Robert Gary