SALISBURY — Karen Alexander, mayor of Salisbury, local architect and Communities in Schools board member, was the guest reader at Hanford-Dole’s quarterly First Grade Book Club.

Mrs. Alexander read the book, “The Biggest Valentine Ever” to all the first grade students.  She shared her love of reading and talked about how, in the book, the two mice friends could work together to make the “biggest, best valentine ever” for their teacher.

At the end of the story, Mrs. Alexander gave each student a valentine eraser and stickers. She also brought valentine materials for each of the classes to make a big valentine for their teacher.

Hanford-Dole’s Book Club is sponsored by grants from Target stores, Schneider Electric and CIS Rowan. Fran Simpson, Communities In Schools site specialist, gave a presentation on reading and writing to the parents in attendance as a follow-up on the book that was read.