TROY – The first “Troy Reads Every August Together” event will be held Sunday in Riverfront Park to encourage children to read.

T.R.E.A.T. was created by author Coleen Murtaugh Paratore, a Troy native who has written 22 books including five picture books.

“I want it to be a celebration of young people and books. I personally am a living testament to how books can open doors for people,” said Paratore, a former Troy Public Library trustee and current City Council member representing the 3rd Council District.

A free autographed copy of Paratore’s recently published picture book “The Big Book About Being BIG” will be given to children attending T.R.E.A.T. from 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Riverfront Park. The book was illustrated by Clare Fennell. There will be a group reading of the book out loud.

The book is about a group of young multiracial friends who learn that being big is not about age or height or size but about relationships and character.

This is the first of the planned annual reading celebration. Riverfront Park has been booked for the third Sunday in August next five years to host the event. Plans are to feature other children’s books written by Capital Region authors at future events.

“I grew up in South Troy in a family of modest means. But my mom took me on the bus every Saturday from Stowe Road downtown to the Troy Public Library. I fell in love with reading,” Paratore said.

Paratore credits those trips to the library with making writing her joy and passion in life.

“I want Troy to be known as a place that celebrates children and reading,” Paratore said.

It’s hoped that T.R.E.A.T. will feature writing contests, a mentoring program and a book festival as it evolves.

The gathering Sunday is sponsored by Sponsored by the T.R.E.A.T (Troy Reads Every August Together) Non-Profit Foundation, Pioneer Bank, The City of Troy, Stewart’s Shops, Morgan Linen Service, The Medtronic Foundation, UHY-Advisors “UHY Cares” and individual donors.