By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Antonia Baxa, 4, and Evelyn Baxa, 1, have already read their first 100 books in a Marion Library program called, “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten.”

The girls, daughters of Tim and Amanda Baxa, got backpacks to mark reaching the 100-book milestone. They also got a railroad car added to a chart showing the progress of each of the 25 enrolled children.

The girls have a 6-year-old sister, Sophia, who shares their love of reading and enjoys participating with the family’s reading times.

Reading is a beloved family activity in the Baxa home.

“I think reading is very important for a child’s development,” Tim Baxa said. “They’re always bringing us books. It’s exciting for them.”

Evelyn’s favorites are animal books while Antonia’s favorites are alphabet books. The girls also enjoy reading nursery rhymes.

Sophia enjoys the reading program at the elementary school as well, Baxa said.

“They have programs where they read books and get pizzas,” he said.

The pizzas were once a reward offered by a pizza business that has closed, but Gambino’s took over giving out awards to keep the program afloat.