It's easy to get lost in a good book at The Story Shop, a children's bookstore in Monroe that's as whimsical as the many volumes that line its shelves.

Numerous organizations came together for the event, held by the Early Learning Coalition, to help provide experiences tying in with free books.

Mentor's Springbrook Gardens Park will feature five storybook-themed benches by local artists from June to August.

Students from the Santa Maria Valley participated in the author event at Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center. (Courtesy ...