Chelsea, MA -

Over 300 children and families came out to the 3rd Annual Chelsea Reads Family Literacy Day held at the Public Library on Saturday, November 1, 2008. The Chelsea Reads Family Literacy Day, an event first organized by Raising A Reader-MA in 2006, has become a collaborative effort involving over a dozen local organizations and has seen its attendance quadruple in size.

This year’s event featured art activities, face-painting, community storytellers, and science activities for children ages 3 – 8. Raising A Reader hosted a mouse mask-making craft table to go with the story The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and The Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood.

As each child participated in the literacy activity stations, they received a stamp on their Chelsea Reads bookmark. Once the bookmark was completed, every child received their very own Chelsea Reads book bag filled with children’s books and other surprises.  Additionally, Clifford the Big Red Dog made an appearance and several lucky children won raffle prizes including DVD’s and games.