SACO — A literacy initiative at Young School is using chocolate to help inspire a love for reading.

The school, which serves students from kindergarten to second grade, has embarked on a school-wide book club, using “The Chocolate Touch,” by Patrick Skene Catling.

“The Chocolate Touch” is a children’s book based on the story of King Midas, who turned everything into gold. In “The Chocolate Touch,” young John Midas, who is obsessed with eating candy, turns everything he touches into chocolate.

The school’s parent teacher organization helped fund more than 360 books, and the entire school community has been given the book — students and staff — including those in non-teaching positions such as the school secretary and custodian, said Principal Peter Harrison.

“We’re looking to promote literacy in a fun way,” he said.

A kick-off celebration was held on Thursday. Students watched a video of physical education teacher Jared Bernard read the first chapter of the book in the first installation of a series of 12 videos of staff reading the chapters of the book. Much to the delight of students, everyone received a Hershey’s Kiss at the end of the ceremony.

“It’s a classic, written in the 1950s, and it’s a book a lot of teachers grew up reading,” said literacy specialist Terrilyn Lebel. “It’s just a super fun topic.”

She said posters had gone up about the book prior to Thursday’s kick-off, and teachers had created a huge buzz around the book. There will be discussions about the book and a future event that will likely include chocolate milk.

The idea of the book club was sparked by parent and PTO member Carrie Lawler who is also a second-grade teacher in South Portland. She said members of a committee of parents and staff chose “The Chocolate Touch” because they wanted a book that was engaging and motivating, and children always get excited about chocolate.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].