As the longtime librarian at Stella Brockman School, Janice Santos is well aware of the importance of reading.

She was one of several to read books aloud Thursday during Family Literacy Night held inside the school’s multi-purpose building.

“We’re doing (Family Literacy Night) as a kick off to Read Across America,” Santos said.

Read Across America is sponsored by the National Education Association and held March 2 to celebrate the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss.

NEA kicked off the event that promotes children to become lifelong readers in 1998.

Earlier in the day, Stella Brockman students enjoyed a breakfast consisting of green eggs and ham – in honor of Dr. Seuss children’s book – made possible by Manteca Unified Nutrition Services.

Family Literacy Night also included the annual book exchange along with various educational activities.

“Leave a book, take a book,” said Santos of the book exchange. “For every book students brought they were allowed to do a swap for the same amount.”

Brock Elliott School, meanwhile, launched Bedtime Story Hour on that same evening.

Students and their families sat comfortably on mats as members of the student council served as storytellers.

“They read one or two children books,” said student council advisor Anne Marie Shaw.

Most came dressed as popular Disney characters.

Shaw, for starters, came in the guise of the Teapot from Alice in Wonderland.

Alice was none other than seventh-grader Kaleigh Doyle, who was joined by Kathryn Grigsby dressed as Tinker Bell.

Eighth-grade student McKenna Doyle came as Belle from Beauty and the Beast while Alyssa Zimmerman was the Toy Story character Jessie.

“I was looking forward to reading,” McKenna Doyle said.

Each reader had his or her station, with youngsters, who, for the most part, came dressed in their sleep wear, and their families jumping from station to station.

At the end, they enjoyed a bed time snack of milk and cookies.

Shaw applauded the strong turnout and is hoping to see the return of Bedtime Story Hour.