The compliments began to pile up as high as the books that were being given to the kids that night.

"There is such a positive attitude here," said one parent.

"You can just feel the enthusiasm," remarked another.

"My daughter was so excited to come here tonight," added another.

Said a fourth parent: "I couldn't stand to hear about these books one more day. My daughter couldn't wait."

The parents were talking about a recent "Books and Bites" pizza party hosted by Oak Ridge School in Palos Hills.

Fifth-graders selected to participate in a special reading program were given Scholastic books and pizza as part of an effort to encourage kids to "love to read."

To help foster a love of reading, students were asked to select books that reflected their hobbies or outside interests.

Parents were encouraged to talk to their children about the books they selected and to continue serving as role models for reading.