Wesley Learning Center, a preschool in Sandy Hook, celebrated the opening of its new Little Library on Tuesday, May 12.

The Little Library is small wooden cabinet with room for dozens of books inside. As Wesley Learning Center is adjacent to Newtown United Methodist Church, the library is located outside in front of the church's memorial garden. It was built by a former Wesley Learning Center student's dad, Brad Harriman of Night Owl Woodworking.

Wesley Learning Center Co-Director Christine Riccio said the library is open to everyone in the community.

"They can take a book, they can leave a book, they can read a book and put it back," Riccio explained.

That Tuesday was a special morning for students and staff alike, as the day started with a visit from local children's author Lisa Yu. She read her book Mommies Make a Difference... and you can too! to the preschool's 4-year-old class. The book is a tribute to mothers of all walks of life, from government employees, delivery workers, and store owners to farmers, engineers, and athletes.

Yu reached out to Wesley Learning Center because she was looking to share the book and show that moms "really make a difference."

"Part of the book is really a social emotional learning opportunity for kids to think about all the possibilities they have," Yu said. "I feel like from such a young age, there's so much thrown at them about what to do. We ask kids, 'What do you want to be?' but I look at it as, 'What do you enjoy?'"

This inspired Yu to put a phrase in the book, "What lights you up?," for kids to think about what they enjoy and how it may lead them down certain paths in life.

After Yu finished reading, Wesley Learning Center staff passed out all kinds of books for different ages. They then led students outside to donate the books to the Little Library, which had a set of colorful balloons tied to it for the special occasion.

One by one, students carefully set their books onto the cabinet's shelf, many with a bright smile on their face.

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