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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

It was a celebration of books at Clanton Elementary and Clanton Intermediate schools on March 2 for Read Across America Day.

Excitement was in the air as the Chilton County High School drumline started the parade at Clanton Elementary School. Each class picked a book to read and dressed up like characters in it. The selection included such books as “Where the Wild Things Are,” The “If You Give …” Series, The Magic School Bus, “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” and “The Cat in the Hat.”

Art Teacher Julie Harrison, who dressed as a crayon, and Librarian Shelly Bice worked together to coordinate the order that each class would march in the parade.

“I enjoy the art side of this and working with Ms. Bice,” Harrison said. “… More importantly, it’s to help the love of books for our kids. I’m glad I could help the library and do that.”

Two judges from the community grade the costumes, and the winning class gets an extra class time of a special class such as the S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Teaching, Engineering, Arts and Math) Lab.

Judge Sunny Mays said she wanted to be a part because it is fun.

“Reading is a fun thing, and it’s a fun activity,” Mays said.

Mays said she was glad to be a part of helping students get interested in reading.

Chilton County High School students went to Clanton Intermediate School to read to students as a part of the day’s festivities.

Grace Tuell, a junior, read “Bartholomew and the Oobleck.” She said she likes the book because of the lesson in it to be careful what you wish for, “and it is always good to say you’re sorry if something is your fault and to take responsibility.”

Tuell said she enjoyed seeing how engaged the students were.

“I love to read, and I love kids,” Tuell said.

Her favorite Dr. Seuss book is “The Cat in The Hat.”

Jasmine Martin read “The Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham.”

“It was fun to see their reactions,” Martin said.

She said her favorite Dr. Seuss book is “Green Eggs and Ham” because she had tasted green eggs and ham while attending CIS.

CCHS Assistant Principal Jason Deason said the high school students were excited to read to the younger students.

“They understand the significance behind it because when they come over here and they start reading to them, they are superheroes to these kids,” Deason said.

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