Houston Mayor Annise Parker stopped by Blackshear Elementary on Monday to encourage students to keep reading over the summer.

“I happen to think the No. 1 reason to like to read is because it’s fun,” Parker said. “You can read about different places. You can read about things that are completely imaginary.”

Parker said teachers can tell which students read over the summer and which ones didn’t because reading skills tend to fall back when children don’t read.

Officials from Houston ISD and the Houston Public Library told students, many sporting Cat in the Hat hats, about their summer reading programs. Students can participate in both programs without having to read separate books — and can gain separate sets of incentives.

HISD students are encouraged to read at least five books to participate in HISD’s Every Summer Has a Story program.

The Houston Public Library will award a free book to students who read 10 books, or for 10 hours, by Aug. 1. Students must be registered in the program to receive prizes. Those same 10 books read may also be applied to Every Summer Has a Story.

Books Between Kids was also at Blackshear to distribute donated books to the students. The books the students received will help build their personal libraries and may be used toward both reading programs.

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