This Friday, approximately 800 first-grade students in Eden Prairie will receive their own hardcover book to keep as part of the fourth annual Eden Prairie Noon Rotary Club “My Book Day” event. But, “My Book Day” goes beyond just handing out books – ultimately students will find they have an entire morning of activities and experiences that reinforce the fun side of reading.

For My Book Day, students visit Eden Prairie City Center, and are given the choice to pick out one of six books they have been reading in their own classroom. From there, students are signed up for a library card and get to sit in while local city, school and public safety officials read to them from one of the six titles.

This year’s books include: “I Stink!” by Kate McMullan, Jim McMullan, Jim McMullan (illustrator); “Diary of a Worm” by Doreen Cronin, Harry Bliss (illustrator); “Fancy

Nancy” by Jane O’Connor, Robin Preiss Glasser (illustrator); “Living Colors” by Steve Jenkins; “Yoko” by Rosemary Wells, H. G. Wells and “The Color of Home” by Mary Hoffman, illustrations by Karin Littlewood.

 Those interested in supported the Noon Rotary funding for “My Book Day” can do so in a number of ways. To make a monetary donation, contact Larry Kurzeka at 612-669-0473. Additionally, funds will also be raised at the Rotary’s “Rib Fest” at the “Minnesota Festival of Jazz on the Prairie” to be held Sunday, June 8, from 2 to 8 p.m. at Purgatory Creek Park, 13001 Technology Drive.

“The support of our community is critical to showing first-graders how important and fun reading is. The Eden Prairie Noon Rotary would appreciate any amount an individual or business could contribute,” said Kurzeka in a news release.

– Compiled by Leah Shaffer