The Read Aloud Program celebrated its 10th anniversary Thursday at Waimalu Elementary Library in 'Aiea.

More than 500 people attended the gathering, which included free giveaways and a "read along."

The Read Aloud Program was founded in Hawai'i in 1998, and has since been taken to dozens of schools statewide. The Read Aloud Program brings parents and kids together for six reading sessions during a semester, and is designed to motivate more reading in the home. Host schools pay a small fee and provide volunteers and meeting space.

This fall, read aloud programs are scheduled for six schools in the Islands.

A list of schools offering the program and weekday meeting times is available at www.readaloudamerica.org.

The Web site also provides information on volunteering, recommended books and tips on reading aloud.

To contact Read Aloud America, the Hawai'i nonprofit that started the Read Aloud Program, e-mail read@readaloudamerica.org or call 531-1985.