AMHERST, MA – Children clapped, danced and growled happily as members of the Enchanted Circle performed two stories at Saturday’s Reading Alive, presented by the Early Childhood Department of the Collaborative for Educational Services at the Grace Episcopal Church.

Saturday’s program, in Spanish and English, encouraged families to read aloud together, and focused on stories for children up to age eight. The presenters used props, musical instruments and expression to share The Rain Came Down, by David Shannon, and Giraffes Can’t Dance, by Giles Andreae. Members of the audience joined in on cue for parts of each story with hand movements, assorted noises, and dancing.

Event coordinators Rossana Salazar and Francia Wisnewski offered refreshments after the show, and invited each child attending to pick a book to take home from an assortment provided to read with their families.