A week before author Dana Meachen Rau visited their school, Reed Intermediate School students, parents, and staff enjoyed a special book club event on Wednesday, December 3.

Students were encouraged to read one of Rau’s books, Who Was Betty White?, for the special occasion. They then brought their parents or guardians to Reed on Wednesday evening, where they gathered in the school’s library to talk about the book in small groups.

Several snacks were set out for people to enjoy, such as pretzels, cookies, and oranges, along with drinks such as apple juice and fruit punch.

This is not the first time Reed has held a book club. Reed Library Media Specialist Sara Wasley organized one in late May before Lauren Tarshis, author of the historical fiction series I Survived, visited their school.

Much like that event, adults were encouraged to sit in for the book club and talk with students and fellow parents or guardians about the book.

“I always like inviting parents and adults in because they are so generous in supporting us, so I always want them to feel welcome,” Wasley said. “I also like to save some things for night because, for working parents, it’s a nice change for them to come and see their child’s school.”

Her favorite part about book club is getting people together and seeing them interact over a book.

“That’s what a library should be, filled with people and stories,” Wasley explained.

What set this book club apart, however, was a special guest appearance from Newtown-Strong Therapy Dogs. A total of six different fluffy dogs were there for guests to interact with. The students were all smiles as they pet and gave belly rubs to the dogs, who seemed equally excited to sit in for the book club.

Wasley thanked Reed PTA President Meagan Warnock and the rest of the school’s PTA for helping get Rau to visit and for buying copies of Who Was Betty White? for students to read.

Students were sent their copies of the book in the mail right before Thanksgiving break.

“And then the idea was this would get them jazzed for the author visit the following week,” Wasley said.

The six Newtown-Strong Therapy Dogs handlers were just as jazzed to attend the book club. One of these handlers, Mary Ann Jacobs, came with her dog, Franklin.

Jacobs was a staff member at Sandy Hook Elementary School thirteen years ago when a gunman took the lives of 20 children and six adults, and saw how therapy dogs supported students after the tragedy.

“We had a lot of therapy dogs there, so I knew how important dogs’ work was. And when I retired from my full-time job, it was the perfect time to be able to give back and do that for my community,” Jacobs explained.

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.