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In many homes, it's a nighttime ritual - Dad reads a book or story to the kids before they go to bed.
But in other houses, it doesn't happen for a variety of reasons - Dad isn't there, there's no time to read, books aren't an important part of life.
To introduce kids (and parents) to the joy of this ritual, Kosciusko Literacy Services is holding its second annual "Dads Reach Out and Read" at Warsaw Community Public Library Nov. 12-13 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 is the first day of National Children's Book Week.
The event will feature six dads - attorney Jay Rigdon, Grace College professor Benjamin Navarro, banker Kevin Deardorff, Harrison Elementary principal Randy Polston, St. Anne's Episcopal Church's Father Brian Grantz and Superior Court Judge Duane Huffer - who will read their favorite kids' books for a half-hour in the WCPL children's area. Navarro will read in Spanish and English.
Besides hearing the stories, every child who attends will receive a free book donated by the library.
"We want to make sure that every child who attends receives a free book that they can keep," said Brenda Rigdon, executive director of Kosciusko Literacy Services.
The program began last year and included about 60 kids over four nights, Rigdon said. This year it will take place over two nights "so we won't be stretching the crowd," she said.
The purpose of "Dads Reach Out and Read" is threefold, she said: To expose kids to male role models reading out loud, to show children that reading is fun and to help the kids start their own personal libraries.
Kids and parents also are encouraged to sign up for library cards while they're at WCPL.
Rigdon said she would like to see the program expand and offer concurrent sessions.
"I would love to have so many kids that we need to open up another room and get another reader," she said.
Dads Reach Out and Read also is sponsored by the Kosciusko County Mental Health Association, the Child Abuse Prevention Council and Head Start.
