Children's author Laurie Keller visited with Lee students and shared some of her best-loved picture books including “We Are Growing,” “Arnie the Doughnut,” and “Do Onto Otters.” She also has written chapter books including a series of “The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut.”

In the evening, a long line of students and parents waited for her to sign the books they purchased.

At McFall, children's author Leslie Helakoski also signed books and read some of her favorites. Throughout McFall, classrooms were filled with games and activities to encourage promote reading including a book walk, book exchange, scavenger hunt throughout the building, and games like Feed the Pig - a bean bog toss game.

At Lee families were invited to travel from room to room in the school and find new adventures.  Representatives from Camp Manitou Lin helped guests make s'mores and plant seeds while the Hastings FFA members helped the Barry County Farm Bureau provide information about farming and make some yummy pumpkin pie treats.

The book walk was a busy attraction where contestants marched around a circle until the music stopped. The person landing on the lucky letter, won their choice of books. And everyone was able to pick out a favorite book or two at the book exchange room.

The Lee MakerSpace lab was shown off with stations for families to work on Legos, robotics, circuits, and even a 3-D printer and green screen photo booth.

Throughout the month, Lee and McFall students will take part in special days where they will be encouraged to read. Some of the upcoming special events include mystery readers, teacher reading swap day, read a shirt day, read a hat day, and one of their favorites – wear your pajamas to school and read to your stuffed animal day. There will also be goals set for the number of minutes students read throughout the month and if the reading goals are met, both schools will have a special event planned to celebrate.

Page Elementary students already started working toward their reading goal and preparing for the Battle of the Books contest. They'll also have special days throughout the month including mystery readers, college spirit day, read a shirt day, beach day and camp read-a-lot day where students are encouraged to bring a sleeping bag and flashlight to read.