The Excelsior Elementary gymnasium was filled with the sound of laughter and the smell of freshly-opened pages last Thursday evening when the school hosted its first Book Walk event. 

"We wanted to shake things up and do something special for I Love to Read Month," said Jennifer Smasal, Principal at Excelsior Elementary. "What better way to celebrate than getting books into kids' hands while having a blast?" 

The event itself was a mix between a book fair and a carnival cake walk. Students and families danced their way to free stories, where instead of winning cakes, students were able to pick their own books when they landed on the right spot.

Excelsior Elementary’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) supported with funds for the prizes, and Principal Smasal and Media Specialist Erin Carcamo went on a book-hunting adventure at the Scholastic warehouse to stock up on awesome reads. When the music played, families circled the room together, and kids listened closely for author names to be called. Landing on the right square meant rushing up to pick out their very own book—or even two or more!

Students and families from Kindergarten through Grade 5 were invited to participate in the evening, and the prizes available spanned a wide range of reading levels and literary interests. Younger siblings joined the action too, making the evening one for the whole family. “Watching students get excited about authors and rush to select their books was incredibly heartwarming," shared Principal Smasal. "The event created a wonderful opportunity for families to participate together, with even our youngest future students participating in the fun."

The event was a success, and it may become an annual event for the school during future celebrations of I Love to Read Month.