Summer reading fun at Elgin zoo

Children, parents and grandparents gathered Thursday at Lords Park Zoo in Elgin to listen to stories about animals and get a chance to visit them, too.

"Stories Under the Hickory Tree" is part of the Gail Borden Public Library's summer reading program, called "Dive into Reading."

The zoo program features stories about animals that live at the zoo, including bison, elk, deer, alpacas, pigs, sheep, donkeys, calves and turkeys, said Terry Gabel, president of the volunteer group Friends of Lords Park Zoo.

"This is our third year of the partnership," Gabel said. "It's highly successful. It's one of the best partnerships and visitor-attended presentations that we have."

The zoo program takes place again June 28, July 12, July 26, Aug. 9. It runs from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. but people can drop in and out, Gabel said.