DeKalb West School held their fourth annual Family Literacy Night Thursday evening, the event drawing hundreds for educational fun.

“There were four hundred students or so and activities you could come and go from,” said West Principal Sabrina Farler, noting children’s author Mike Shoulders was on hand to entertain the students and sign books. “There was all kinds of games and they got to take away a free book at least and probably many more.”

The idea behind the event is to promote literacy in families and in children. “It starts from a very, very early age,” Farler said of when parents should begin reading with their children. “We continue it as they come into school.”

K-3 is the foundation for reading followed by foundational writing skills. “It’s all connected together, the reading and the writing so remember to always read with your children at least 20 minutes a day.”