See Spot Read

The rain didn't keep the dogs or the kids away at today's Dogs Like Books, Too! event at the Glen Ellyn Public Library. The library's popular monthly event pairs up young children with dogs for a story session that helps kids practice their reading skills.

Brianna Andrade, 10, came to the event today on her birthday and brought American Chillers: Wisconsin Werewolves to read to Diesel, a six-year-old Doberman Pinscher.

"Crunch, crunch, crunch, I could hear," Brianna read as Diesel found a nice spot on the floor to lie down. Scary stories are Brianna's favorite to read, and Diesel didn't seem to mind.

"I think he was very well trained," Brianna said after she finished. Brianna usually reads at home on the couch, but her dog, a Boston Terrier mix named Chalupa, doesn't usually sit as quietly as Diesel did. "He's kind of crazy."

The Dogs Like Books, Too! series is designed to be a fun way to get kids reading in an environment that is non-judgmental.

"We have two to three dogs generally," said Ridgeway Burns, a Youth Services Associate at the library. "It gives kids a chance to practice their reading skills and dogs never worry about reading too fast. Plus, it's a lot of fun having the dogs in the library."

The event occurs on the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and has proved to be an extremely popular one at the library. Parents can call in up to two weeks before the event to book a 15-minute reading spot on the schedule. The dogs are trained therapy dogs provided by the Glenbard All Breeds Obedience Club.

The event does get kids excited about reading, but also about the dogs too.

"Can we get this one?" asked Ashley Purvis, 8, to her mother as Diesel laid his head down on her lap. Ashley had brought a book today about a young girl who starts a dogsitter service. "We're going to get a puppy, a real one!" Ashley read at the end of her book, at the same time giving a sly glance over at her mother.

Ella, 6, and Olivia, 3, Erickson came out to the event today to read with Sophie, their favorite, who they booked by request.

"We read every night at home," the girls' father, Don Erickson said at the event. "Ella's in first grade now, so she's all over it. We don't have dogs at home, so this is good practice and it holds her off a little bit."

The program excites even kids that are still a little too young, which is just what the event is after. The program is all about getting kids to read early and giving them something fun to look forward to.

"Olivia is still a little too young, but she's really excited by it," Erickson said. "She can't wait to start reading like her sister."

For more information about the Dogs Like Books, Too! reading series at the Glen Ellyn Public Library, or to book a time at the next event, call the Youth Services department at 630-790-6620.