The man in the big red suit is coming to town a few days early this year to give children a gift that Reading Is Fundamental hopes lasts a lifetime.

RIF is holding its annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. until noon at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center.

This year’s event will have a few new guests this year as members of the Sesame Street gang leave their neighborhood for some time in Selma. Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Elmo and other favorites will be on hand to share their love of reading.

There will also be a delicious breakfast, the telling of some of your favorite Christmas stories and caroling.

Books will be available for children ages 3 to 17 to take home free of charge, according to Breakfast with Santa chairwoman Melinda Page.

“It seems incredible for a book to launch a life, but it happens every day as hungry, inquisitive young minds reach out and grab hold of the new people, places and ideas through books,” Page said.

Breakfast with Santa is sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. with the Dallas County Commission, Selma City Council, Culturama and the Mayor’s Youth Council.

Across the nation each year, more than 400,000 parents, teachers and volunteers bring RIF books and the love of reading to more than 3.5 American children.

Locally, the AKAs have been working with RIF since 1979 and hold at least three events throughout the year.

For more information contact Page or Nancy Sewell, RIF Coordinator, at (334) 875-2481.