Like her three brothers and little sister, Kristina Lamparter was excited about visiting the Gainesville library Monday.

"I just love listening to stories," said 7-year-old Kristina.

She and her family weren’t there for any old story time, it was a special event where attendees dressed for the occasion.

For the event, Kristina donned pink and purple pajamas and brought along her doll "Snowy." Her younger brother Kristofer Lamparter wore blue and red pajamas with the characters from the cartoon movie "Cars."

"I liked the movie a lot," said Kristofer, who is 6 years old.

"He even brought his Cars key chain," said older brother Kurtis Lamparter, who wore patriotic themed pajamas and carried a white teddy bear with red, white and blue stars on its fur.

The Lamparters were at the local branch of the Hall County Library System for a special story time where attendees were encouraged to wear their pajamas and to bring along their favorite bedtime buddy.

Monday also marked the first day of the library system’s Summer Reading Program.

"The kids have always loved reading. I’m a reader and so is their dad. We always come to story time," said Kelly Lamparter of Gainesville.

"I would encourage more parents to sign their children up for the reading program because they can earn great prizes and it provides an incentive for them to read," she said.

This year’s theme for the summer program focuses on individual creativity.

"We’re all creative in different ways," said Gail Hogan, Gainesville branch storyteller. "So I chose stories for (Monday’s story time) that went along with that theme."

Event attendees were treated to several stories, including "The Dot" by Peter Reynolds. "The Dot" is a story about a little girl who thinks she cannot draw until her art teacher challengers her to make any mark on her paper, which becomes the first step in her artistic journey. The lesson of the book is to encourage readers to not be afraid of expressing themselves or their talents.

The Summer Reading Program runs through July 24 and is open to students up to 18 years of age. Through the six branches of the county library system, literacy activities are offered at each of the locations. Activities vary from story time to a demonstration by a "mad" scientist and are all designed to encourage students to read and to spark their interest in spending more time at their local library.