But that hasn't stopped the former director of the Saratoga Parent Nursery School from enjoying books on tape as well as participating in the Argonaut Community Read-In, which she did on May 1.

Levine read books about the circus to kindergarten and first-grade classes at Argonaut Elementary School and spoke at the school-wide assembly, encouraging students to follow their dreams despite any disabilities or obstacles.

In the classroom, Levine entertained children with lessons on juggling, balancing and pantomiming, but also taught life lessons by drawing parallels between her background and the students' own experiences. Levine started clowning at age 8 and used that fact to tell the classes, "You don't know what it is that your mom and dad have signed you up for that might become a lifelong passion."

"They're mesmerized. They have a lot of fun with it," Levine said.

At the Argonaut event, Levine was joined by readers that included cartoonist Les Landin, children's author Mona Vijaykar, physicians, law enforcement officials, religious leaders and educators.

"The objective of the event is to show the children that people of all ages and walks of life love to read, and love to read to them," said organizers Diane Porter and Rose Baden in a flier about the event.

Those are precisely the reasons why Saratoga Fire District Capt. Bill Morrison keeps volunteering to participate in the event, even though his daughters are no longer students at Argonaut. "It's watching the kids' faces and how much they enjoy having someone read for them," Morrison said.

While Morrison read two popular children's books chosen for him by the school, he also brought along his uniform and gave a demonstration of his breathing equipment.

First-time reader Gayle Greenbrook, like Levine, tied her choice of literature to her profession. Greenbrook, a tap instructor at Studio 10 Dance, picked books about Bill Robinson, Shirley Temple and Fred Astaire.

"It's fun for me to be able to share something that I love, both reading and the art," Greenbrook said. A self-described "tap historian," the discussion following Greenbrook's read focused on various forms of dance and the difference between biographies and autobiographies.

"They were communicating back and forth. They were great. We could've kept going," Greenbrook said. "My kids were really attentive."

Principal Sue Brooks participated, as did a handful of current and former Argonaut staff members and teachers. "We always enjoy that. The children really enjoy seeing people in a different role," Brooks said. "I think it's a wonderful community-school event."