Stories are brought to life at Lee H. Kellogg

FALLS VILLAGE — Judy Jacobs had the attention of the combined first and second grade when she read “If All the Animals Came Inside” during Read Aloud day Wednesday, Feb. 6, at the Lee H. Kellogg School.But she really created a buzz when she told the students about her snakes.The Jacobs used to raise boa constrictors — and one of them didn’t eat for a year and a half, Jacobs said.“That snake was the fussiest eater I’ve ever known.”Nothing could tempt the snake, until a friend who raises hawks suggested using baby chicks — deceased and frozen, mind you.“We dangled this chick in there one day and that snake ate it right up,” said Jacobs cheerfully.“Aaaagh,” said the students.Town Clerk Mary Palmer read “Upside Right” by Gaetano Amato to the same group, but first talked with the children about what she does in her job a Town Hall.“I like to see you because I have these pieces of paper — birth certificates — and now I get to see who they’re for.”Board of Finance member Lou Timolat read “Auntie Yang’s Great Soybean Picnic,” by Ginnie Lo and Beth Lo, to Amy Lake’s sixth-grade class.“Why am I in the rocking chair?” he asked before starting.Lake assured him. “Oh, that’s the coveted chair.”Read Aloud day is sponsored by the Northwest Chamber of Commerce. It chooses the books with the help of area language arts experts; the books are purchased with funding from Alcoa Howmet in Winsted.Patricia Walsh read, “Little Bea and the Snowy Day,” by Daniel Roode to the kindergarten class. Mary Palmer read, “Upside Right,” by Gaetano Amato to the first grade. Judy Jacobs read, “If All the Animals Came Inside,” by Eric Pinder and Marc Brown to the second grade.Michelle McGuire read,“These Hands,” by Margaret H. Mason and Floyd Cooper to the third grade.Anita Kuhn read, “My Heart Will Not Sit Down,” by Mara Rockliff and Ann Tanksley to the fourth grade. Vance Cannon read “The Can Man,” by Laura E. Williams and Craig Orback. Lou Timolat read, “Auntie Yang’s Great Soybean Picnic,” by Ginnie Lo and Beth Lo to the sixth grade. Jim Fallon read, “Abe Lincoln’s Dream,” by Lane Smith to the seventh grade. Amy Wynn read, “House Held Up by Trees,” by Ted Kooser to the eighth grade.