On Wednesday afternoon, February 10, the ballroom at the Verona Community Center will be the venue for a reading involving an unusual collection of literary figures: a Jack Russell terrier named Casey, a teacup Yorkshire terrier named Bella, a fourth-grader named Autumn, and, oh yes, a children’s book author named Jane Lovascio. The free reading, which is sponsored by the Verona non-profit C.H.I.L.D. (Children Having Individual Learning Differences), is from the latest in a series of books starring Lovascio’s dogs, entitled “Casey and Bella Go Green.” Part of the proceeds from each book goes to support a different charity, and each book features a young co-author; in this case, Autumn Varca, a student at a New Jersey elementary school.
The reading starts at 3:15 p.m. and lasts until 4:30. The first 25 children to arrive will get a free book signed by the author; Casey and Bella will also be “signing” books with their paw prints. Additional books will be on sale at a discount, with a portion of sales going to support C.H.I.L.D. For more information, e-mail Elise Boatwright.
