As Lorelei Books owner Laura Weeks finished reading “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault Saturday morning, one of the toddlers sitting on the semicircle of pillows burst into familiar song, the ABCs.

This signaled the end of another story time hosted by Lorelei Books. The events have been going on for about a year and a half, and they take place the first Saturday of each month, Weeks said.

“So far, members of the community take turns volunteering to be the story time reader each month,” she said. “I’ll ask them typically what their favorite children’s book is and let them know my age group is young, typically toddlers, so they know what is appropriate. Due to the age group, it typically has to be sort of short and snappy.”

Weeks said she started hosting story time to help fill a need she saw.

“I’ve been in business going on into nine years now, and I’ve heard a lot of members of the community say there’s not quite enough things for young families to do here in Vicksburg,” she said. “One thing about this community too that I like is there’s a lot of people who will try to create a solution instead of just complain. This is just one example of other things organizations and individuals are doing throughout the community to try to address that concern.”

Weeks said the library hosts a similar event during weekdays, and noted that a lot of young families have added story time to their Saturday morning ritual, along with the Vicksburg Farmers’ Market and Highway 61 Coffeehouse.

“I thought it makes sense to do this at least once a month,” she said. “It works, and it’s been a lot of fun for everybody.

It helps build the community and promotes the bookstore as well, Weeks said.

“I’ve noticed parents will even bring very small babies sometimes, and I think what they’re doing is getting their children from a very early age exposed to interacting with other kids, interacting with the community and exposing them to as much reading as they can from a very early age.”

Weeks said anything to get kids interested in reading is a good thing.

Dana Tankersley said she brought her two grandchildren Piper Kate Lee, 2, and Emmy Lee, 6, who were visiting from out of town.

“We just come when the grandchildren are visiting,” she said. “I’m a teacher, and I always read to my children. Literacy is the fundamental foundation of everything.”

Weeks said she also tries to stay involved in the community by participating in literacy projects like the book drop-off sponsored by Miss Heart of Dixie’s Outstanding Teen Emily Tingle and volunteering with the United Way’s book swap.

“We try to always be connected with any kind of literacy project that’s going on,” she said.

For more information or to volunteer to be a reader, contact Weeks at 601-634-8624 or visit the bookstore at 1103 Washington St.