'Hook 'Em While They're Young'

If only second-graders were voters. 

Mayor John Button was one of several special guests to visit

Button regaled a group of second grade students with the book Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen, followed by a story written by his son, Tim, titled Matthew McSilly.

Button said his son is an aspiring children's author: "It's just something he'd love to do and he's a great writer."

Librarian Susan LaGatta, the familiar red-and-white-striped Cat in the Hat hat perched atop her head (Read Across America Day is also Dr. Seuss' birthday), was delighted by the mayor's visit, as well as the occasion it marked.

"Reading is still fundamental," she said. "With all of our technology and everything else, it's still the key to being successful. I tell the kids, reading is the best gift you can give yourself."

The school held other reading activities throughout the day Friday and will hold more next week, LaGatta said. The idea is to "hook 'em while they're young."

"If you don't get them now," she said, "it gets harder and harder (to get them to read)."