The Maplesville Public Library will hold its final “Story Hour” July reading program session on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Participating students will be treated with a pizza party to celebrate their month-long journey into literature.

Leading the children in this program is Rachel Abbott, a Maplesville High School student who has also enlisted the help of her mother Andrea, a teacher at Clanton Elementary School, and her sister Rebekah.

Abbott, 16, wants to be a pediatric nurse but had a keen interest in Maplesville’s library, so town clerk Sheila Haigler encouraged her to help with the reading program. She said she would definitely help lead the program again if it’s offered and she’s available.

“I just like working with children,” she said.

The children have spent every Wednesday morning in July reading at least one to two stories per day with a specific theme. They then participate in a class led by Abbott, eat a snack and finish the session with one last story or arts and crafts activity. Abbott and her family would also help children check out books and teach them how to use other parts of the library.

As an educator, Abbott’s mother has been particularly pleased to see her daughter show a desire to educate the young people of Maplesville.

“I’m proud of her for taking the initiative to work with children,” she said.

Haigler said attendance has typically been 40-45 kids per week, though they would love to see more children participate in the free program if possible.

Haigler said the idea is to keep the kids’ reading chops fresh as they prepare to start another year of school.

“We want to try to encourage children to continue their reading skills with this program,” Haigler said.

Wednesday’s final session begins at 10 a.m. and will end at 11:30 p.m. For more information, contact the town hall at (334) 366-4212.