Free books from Psi Otes Mackenzie Sandusky has her hands on two books until she decides which to keep. She and the other kindergartners at Camden Early Childhood Center each got to choose a free take-home book, compliments of the Beta Psi (Delphi) Chapter of Psi Iota Xi. Marcia Pitty, representing the sorority, visited Sherri Cripe's classroom and listened to some of the children read their new books. She is pictured with Trevor Titus, who is reading "Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!" by Mo Willems. Kindergartners at Camden Early Childhood Center each got to pick out a free book on Monday as part of their celebration of Read Across America.

The take-home books were provided by the Beta Psi (Delphi) Chapter of Psi Iota Xi. The chapter also gave each teacher $100 for purchasing books for their classroom libraries. The school library also benefited because the chapter won a grant from the national Psi Ote chapter and passed along part of this money to CECC for library books.

Teacher Sherri Cripe, who coordinated Read Across America at Camden, said another benefit would come from the purchase of the books. She said the school receives points for books purchased, and those points translate into more free books for the library and classrooms.

Comet photos by Jennifer Archibald Marcia Pitty, who represented Psi Otes at the school on Monday, said $1,050 of her sorority's gift came from the local chapter, largely earned through the sale of cheeseballs. She said $333 came from the grant from the national chapter. The remainder of the $1,000 grant went to other local community programs.

Mrs. Pitty came to the school on Monday to watch the children pick out their books. She also sat in a big rocking chair in Mrs. Cripe's room and listened to some of the children read their new books.

Also as part of the Read Across America celebration, guest readers came to the school, and children had special activities in their classrooms.

Read Across America is celebrated annually on March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss (Theodor S. Geisel). Some of the classroom activities revolved around "Cat in the Hat," a Dr. Seuss character.

Read Across America is sponsored nationally by the National Education Association, but schools each plan their own celebration. Now in its 12th year, the program focuses on motivating children to read, along with helping them master basic reading skills.