Deborah Stevenson, one of several Zeta Phi Beta sorority volunteers at BookFest, said the idea of giving books to children is a great start to encouraging them to read. Stevenson, who also is a substitute teacher for Manatee County schools, said reading is an important key to everything they do in school and later in life.

"It carries you through all of the subjects," she said. "You also have to know how to read a job application."

Unfortunately, the only time some children are exposed to books is at school, Stevenson said. With BookFest they will learn reading is fun.   more >>