On Tuesdays and Saturdays there is a place in Carbondale where children with vivid imaginations can really get into a book, but they need not truly travel to Neverneverland, and they need not fear Captain Hook.

The place is Barnes and Noble bookstore, 1300 E. Main St., and the events are the regularly scheduled 30-minute to one-hour book readings for children and their parents and grandparents.

Joe Deeter, a store manager, said the book readings, which are at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays, offer children a unique way to experience the excitement that lies within books.

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It’s interactive storytelling between the children of the community and either our staff members or a professional storyteller, he said.

Professional storytellers usually consist of retired teachers who volunteer their time for the children. Deeter said these readings are both important and free of charge.

For children with reading disabilities, reading a book can be quite a daunting task, he said, but having someone read it to them can be a great way for them to learn.

Although the books that are read are all children’s books, Deeter said the books vary in style.

There is everything from classics to books that teach values and morals, he said. And we try to represent diversity as well. We’ll have stories that appeal to various ethnic backgrounds in addition to the classics.

While the books that are read are children’s books, Deeter said parents and grandparents are encouraged to accompany their little ones.

We just try to get adults to recognize the importance of reading to their children, he said, and also the importance of grandparents reading to the kids across generational gaps.

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On certain Saturdays, children get a special treat.

Occasionally we’ll have costumes come in, Deeter said. We’ve had the Wild Thing, Arthur and Clifford the Big Red Dog the kids really like that.

And many children attend on these special days, as anywhere from 120 to 140 children crowd the bookstore to see the costume performances.

The costumed people walk around and greet people and also allow the children to sit on their laps and have their photo taken. All of this is free of charge, as well.

Debbie Korando, a Barnes and Noble bookseller who does some of the readings, said she enjoys reading to the children because they seem to enjoy it so much.

They just love it, she said. And if it’s a humorous story they really get into it and get excited.

To get the mostly young children interested in the stories, Korando said she uses several techniques. The children range in age from 3 and 8 years old.

I use different voices in the readings, occasional eye contact with the kids just making sure they are all into it, she said. Sometimes I’ll ask them, Have you ever felt that way?’ or, Have you ever done that kind of thing?’

And I’ll make sure they can see the pictures they really like that.

Korando said the readings offer children a unique opportunity in which to experience books.

It’s a different atmosphere than the library, she said. We have a little stage with the Poo Bear setting in the background, so it’s geared toward kids.

While the children smile and laugh, Korando said the readings are more than just entertainment.

Anytime a child can be read to, it enriches their life that much more, she said. A child can always learn when they listen to a story.

The Barnes and Noble book readings are at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 10:30 a.m. Saturdays. The readings are free of charge.