A large group of children gathered together in the story-time room of the Temple Public Library at 10 a.m. Saturday for a presentation by the Temple Symphony Orchestra and Moula Moula, the Temple Area Federal Credit Union savings mascot.

Sandi Wicker, executive director of the orchestra, presented the library with donations of two Dr. Suess' 'Gerald McBoing Boing' books and the 1951 Academy Award winning animated version of the book.

Ms. Wicker put on her 'magic' rose-colored reading glasses as she sat down with the group of children to read the book.

Children laughed and asked questions as Ms. Wicker read the story of Gerald McBoing Boing to the crowded room.

The story is about a misfit little boy who cannot speak, just make sounds. He is kicked out of school due to the fact he can not speak, and his parents do not know what to do with him. A radio station owner hires him to be a sound machine for the radio programs, and the child becomes famous. Along the way he makes his parents proud of his talent with his many accomplishments, said Ms. Wicker.

'It's one of the oldest Dr. Suess tales, and this presentation was a way for the orchestra to promote our concert next week,' said Ms. Wicker.

The orchestra puts on several young adult programs a year, with the goal of getting children interested in classical music, said Ms. Wicker.

'Fine arts programs are the cornerstone of education, and I believe it should have a higher priority than math and reading in the school systems,' said Ms. Wicker.

Through music and other fine arts programs, children are exposed to aspects of education without the normal restraints found in the classroom, said Ms. Wicker.

Musical programs like McBoing Boing, entertain children with unusual noises blended into the music, but contain classical music structure and life morals, said Ms. Wicker.

After Ms. Wicker finished reading the story, the children watched the cartoon version and joined McBoing Boing in making a variety of his strange noises.

'It is our goal to organize more events with local libraries and schools as a way to get kids interested in classical music,' said Ms. Wicker.

The Dr. Suess' story works perfectly with the goal due to the way it blends the educational music of a symphony orchestra with the funny noises of the main character, said Ms. Wicker.

The Temple Symphony Orchestra will perform the story at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Mary Alice Marshall Fine Arts Auditorium on the Temple College campus.

Tickets are $15 for adults, and free for children. They are available at the door on the night of the performance, at the Cultural Activity Center in Temple, Temple College and Holze Music Company in Temple.