The University Book Store will try to appeal to a younger audience next week by holding events to recognize Children’s Book Week ’99.

The main event will be held Saturday in the Pine Room of the Memorial Union, where the store will host “Story Time,” based on a book by Laura Numeroff titled, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.”

The event and weeklong celebration is aimed at getting children from the Ames community involved with UBS, said Sadja, marketing supervisor for UBS.

“It’s a perfect way to get the word out that it’s National Book Week,” she said.

Story Time will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will feature activities and other stories by Numeroff. The Memorial Union Food Court will provide milk and cookies, and “the friendly mouse” will make a guest appearance, Sadja said.

UBS has held Children’s Book Week for the past seven years, ever since the bookstore started carrying children’s books, she said.

Story Time was created to give something back to the children of students and Ames residents, said Joyce O’Donnell, general book buyer and supervisor at UBS.

“This is just one more way to get children excited about books,” she said.

O’Donnell said UBS always needs help to put on these events.

“We love to have people come tell us if they’re interested in helping,” she said. “Elementary education majors, child development or any other areas are welcome to come talk to us.”

Helping out with this event is a great way to spend a little time with the children and their parents, O’Donnell said.

Saturday’s event also will be a great way for kids to meet other kids, as well as give parents something to do with their children, Sadja said.

“It’s a great opportunity for kids to get out and have a good time with books,” she said.

UBS will have a children’s book display all week.

Sadja said the store also will host a holiday open house and a “Ramona” series event on Dec. 1, each featuring similar activities, snacks and, of course, excellent readings.