Sarasota Elementary Kids Get Free Books

SARASOTA, FL — School may be out for most of their classmates, but a number of children who attend Fruitville Elementary School in Sarasota County couldn't have been happier to be there on Monday.

Sarasota County Schools and the Jewish Family & Children’s Service of the Suncoast teamed up to hand out free books to children who attend the school's Summer Learning Academy.

"The school district and JFCS of the Suncoast select a different school each year, but the premise is the same — the students participating in the Summer Learning Academy at that school are able to browse through all the books and then choose their favorite one to take home for free," Sarasota school officials explained.

This was the fifth year that the giveaway took place. Summer Learning Academies run from June 3 to July 18 as full-day programs, four days a week except Fridays.

The JFCS started collecting books on March 2, which happens to also be a famous author's birthday.

"They work with organizations throughout the community, such as Embracing Our Differences and The Junior League of Sarasota to collect books starting on Dr. Seuss’ birthday," officials explained.