I was two years old when Stars Wars first came out. I’m certain my parents didn’t take a shrieking toddler to the theater so I didn’t see it until eight years later at a slumber party. Today I can’t remember the girl’s name who hosted the party, but I can remember every minute eating popcorn balls on our sleeping bags and watching the movie.

Star Wars was such an ubiquitous part of childhood that even the kids who didn’t see the movies knew the plot and characters. There were action figures, lunch boxes and girls who wore their hair like Princess Leia. I wasn’t one of those since I could barely sit still long enough for my mother to braid my hair.

There were imaginary light saber fights in the back yard with the neighbor kids and we whispered “the Force is strong with this one” into the electric fan on hot summer nights to mimic Darth Vader. If my sister walked into the room “there was a disturbance in the Force.” It just seems that no matter what, Star Wars was everywhere.

After the novelization of the movie, more books were released. It spawned its own reading revolution. It seems only appropriate to celebrate books, literacy and Star Wars.

The second annual Star Wars Reads Day is actually Oct. 5 across North America, but King County Library System wanted to enjoy this celebration as long as possible so we have events planned from Sept. through Oct. The library system also is collecting nonperishable food donations at these events to support local food banks.

Star Wars Reads Day events will include Lego stations for kids provided by Lego 4 Kids. Members of Alpha Base, a chapter of the Rebel Legion and Garrison Titan of the 501st Legion will be hanging around to pose for photos so don’t forget your camera.

The second hour of the events will feature Charlie Williams, The Noiseguy, who will present a parody of the Star Wars movies with special props and toys. Naturally there will be sound effects to accompany his presentation as he reenacts classic scenes from the movies. Kids and kids at heart will learn to make cool sound effects to tell their own stories. Moms, you can thank us later.

The first event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Bellevue Library, 1111 110th Ave NE.  Another event will be  held from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Newport Way Library, 14250 SE Newport Way, Bellevue.

For a complete listing visit the events page at www.kcls.org.

Oct. 19:

Sammamish Library, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Darcy Brixey is the teen services librarian at the Bellevue Library. She’d like to tell you she loves to read, but it’s an expectation of the job.