First Book is a great nonprofit that provides books to children in need, so naturally when they asked me to take part in their fundraising read-a-thon, I was happy to say yes. Now, First Book has released the read-a-thon schedule. The event takes place this Saturday at Elliott Bay Book Company, and it looks like a lot of fun. From 11 am to 3 pm, readers will share their favorite children's books by reading them aloud.

I'll be reading from the book that I first fell in love with, Jon Stone's The Monster at the End of This Book. Other readers include Sherman Alexie, Congressman Jim McDermott, a Rat City Rollergirl, several poets, a monorail driver, an air force pilot, and many more. During the day, First Book will be holding raffles and hosting a silent auction. Feel free to stop by with your favorite kid for a story (or two or three or seven). It's free and open to the public.

If you're not in the Seattle area or if you're otherwise occupied this weekend, I urge you to make a donation to First Book anyway. Fifteen bucks buys six books for a poor child who otherwise would have none. Literacy is one of the most important gifts we can give children; a love of books is likely to lead to a happy life. This is important stuff, and well worth your $15. I hope you'll stop by on Saturday and say hi.