Bradley Elementary School invited community members to share the gift of reading with students on Wednesday.

The official date for "Read to Me Day" is Nov. 19.

Teachers said reading aloud to a child encourages curiosity, builds vocabulary, and increases listening. They added that it's great to have adults in the community help bring those skills inside the classroom.

"So many times they think about school things only at school. And they don't always make that connection between the community and all the people they see outside of school. So whenever those people are coming in and sharing stories with us, it's exciting and it makes that connection for them," said second grade teacher, Terri Gunter.

Kate Krivanek of WVNS shared the story of "The Runaway Pumpkin" with Ms. Gunter's second graders.