On Monday, Mary Humphrey, or "Grammy Mary," settled in to a rocking chair in the Community Health Center of Central Wyoming auditorium and opened "The Berenstain Bears Go to the Doctor."

Four children and three mothers listened as the characters traveled to the doctor for a checkup, teaching the lesson that doctor visits are not scary and regular checkups prevent illness.

The Community Health Center is reading the Berenstain Bears in celebration of National Health Center Week, Aug. 10-16. National Health Center Week recognizes all community, migrant, homeless and public health centers across the nation providing affordable health care to people in need.

The second book Humphrey read, "The Berenstain Bears and the Bully," taught children how to deal with bullies and some of the reasons kids become bullies.

Mariah Campos, 7, said she recently had to deal with a bully of her own, and the second book was her favorite because "it teaches you something."

"I thought that it was really cool," she said. "I didn't know the doctor would have a story time."

She and her sister were waiting while their mother took their brother for a checkup. They saw the sign advertising the story time and went to listen.

Each child went home with one of the books that were read.

The center's marketing committee came up with the idea of using the books as a way of celebrating National Health Center Week, said Mel Schwartz, community resource coordinator.

"Reading is just such a vital part of children's lives and growth," she said. "The opportunity to give kids a book brightens up their lives for a moment."

Humphrey, who is the medical librarian for the University of Wyoming Department of Family Medicine, said she loves to read to children and volunteered at once when she heard about the story time.

Schwartz said members of the public are more than welcome to attend, in addition to kids in the waiting room.

"We're thrilled to read to even one child," she said. "I hope we get more people, but even if we don't, we're still reading to kids. It's something that could not be more important."

Reach reporter Riane Menardi at (307) 266-0610 or riane.menardi@trib.com

* Story time will take place at 10 a.m. every day this week in the Community Health Center auditorium in Casper. The first 20 children will receive a free Berenstain Bears book.

* For more information, call Mel Schwartz at (307) 233-6077, or stop by the health center at 1522 E. A St.]]->