BASALT ” Every morning in February before the bell rings to signal the start of school, dozens of Basalt Elementary School students line the hallways or get comfy in the library to settle in with favorite books during “I Love to Read” month. Now in its eighth year, the annual school event encourages BES students to practice, improve and celebrate their love of reading.

Students are welcome to enter the building at 7:40 a.m. to “check in” and start enjoying a borrowed book or one they brought themselves; reading time lasts until 8:10 a.m. Children who participate at least 14 out of the 19 program days receive special recognition and a book of their choice at a school-wide assembly on March 2, which is Dr. Seuss’ (author Theodore Geisel’s) birthday and national “Read Across America Day.”

BES reading teacher and event organizer Nancy Boyer estimates that the students will read 2,000 books throughout the month. Kids write their names and the name of each book they read on colorful pieces of paper that are in the hallways, which are also lined with Dr. Seuss and Cat in the Hat themed decorations.

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It’s not just children who are reading in the early morning; parents, grandparents and teachers often come in to read aloud. Older kids read to younger kids, and students share books among one another. Says Boyer, “It’s become a real community event.”