FARMINGTON – Area preschool-age and younger children are being invited to take a beach towel and sunglasses on Thursday, Jan. 15, for “Bookin’ at the Beach,” one of three annual literacy events offered at Mallett School through the Reading is Fundamental program.

Parents and children are invited to visit the school from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. on Jan. 15 and to select a free book from dozens of titles written for young children.

RIF is a federally funded program that prepares and motivates children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to children and families who need them most. Last year, Mallett received a grant to participate in the program and offer three free books to all its students and area pre-kindergarten children over the course of the year.

The January event is the second distribution of the 2003-04 school year. A similar event will be offered in early March.

For more information, people can contact Melvin Burnham, principal, at 778-3529.