She has tamed dragons, dressed as a biker chick, and handled all types of creepy crawlers - all to open the wonder of reading to local children.
For these extreme efforts, Kathy East, the recently retired children's librarian at Wood County District Public Library, has been named Champion of Children for 2009 by the Friends of Wood County CASA.
For 20 years, East worked to make strong readers even stronger and to turn reluctant readers into eager bookworms.
"Nothing stands in her way to make it exciting, and the kids have a blast," said Janet Zimmerman, outreach specialist at the library.
Recognizing that fantasy makes reading fun, East was not above resorting to costumes - whether it was "Clifford the Big Red Dog," or "Ruby the Red-Eyed Tree Frog," or even "Chapter Chick."
"She rode an old banana seat bike into the school," Zimmerman recalled of that particular reading program. "It's pretty outrageous and it's completely contagious. She really goes out and the kids love it."
East has this way of making children comfortable with books - viewing them as friends to curl up with for a new adventure. One storytime with her, and formerly threatening books became welcoming places.

"Her crazy costumes and wacky approach would just engage children and make them realize reading is fun," said Elaine Paulette, director of the library. "Her enthusiasm was endless."
The library allowed East to merge her two loves - reading and children. Together they were a magical combination.
"She loves every child. She makes every child feel special," Paulette said.
She broke down the barriers that some children have toward books.
"I think she gave children confidence who otherwise wouldn't have it," Paulette said. "It isn't a chore. It's such a gift that she wants to make sure every child has it. Reading is a lifelong fun and educational experience."
"Reluctant readers were shocked by what she would do to lure them there. They would get caught up in a whirlwind of activity."
East's stash of secret weapons included two powerful temptations for children - food and fur. She was not above donning a chefs hat and whipping up concoctions, or handling furry critters if it would get children to crack open a book. Her thought was that once young readers got into a good book, they might not be able to escape.
"It's the story that makes you a reader," said East, noting the power of a good story.
Over the two decades, countless children have sat spellbound as she weaved tales at the library storytimes. That magic kept children coming back for more and more.
"The kids are just mesmerized when she reads to them," said Lori Dunn-Hammer, who has taken children from Dunn's Kiddie Kare to library storytimes for many years. "It's just amazing how she captures their attention. She brings out the characters in the book."
Parents weren't neglected in the process, according to Bobbie Lane, a member of the Wood County Literacy Council. East knew that including parents in the fun would help ensure a lifetime of reading.
"She was so well versed in all the latest techniques to help parents respond to their children," Lane said. And if all else failed, "she would encourage children to nag their parents to take them to the library."
East did not believe that books belong only in the library. She often took her storytelling on the road, to reach families who otherwise would not get to hear the tales. With books in her bag, she would go to child immunization clinics and Martha's Kitchen.
Maybe, just maybe, a really good story would spur the children to turn to a book for their next adventure. And maybe they would stop by the library for an afternoon.
"She probably has brought more children and caregivers to the library," Paulette said.
After all, children need books filled with stories. "And if they can't afford to buy them, that's what the library is for," East said.
Her skill has brought her national attention, earning her a spot on the Caldecott Award selection committee for children's literature.
"She is admired by children and librarians around the world," Paulette said. "She's inspirational to everyone she works with. She doesn't know how to do it any other way."
The Champion of Children award, which is given out each year to someone who has made a remarkable contribution to local children, was presented Wednesday evening during the annual banquet for volunteers of the Wood County Court Appointed Special Advocates program.

Photo: Kathy East escorts Ruby the Red Eyed Tree Frog to kick off last year's summer reading program. (Photo: J.D. Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune)