The Virginia Children’s Book Festival will give the gift of reading to thousands of area children this holiday season, passing out free books during the Farmville and Crewe Christmas parades. Festival volunteers will distribute 3,500 children’s books during the two parades. Every child who attends will receive a book, as supplies last. “We really cherish the opportunity to give out these books — the smiles and looks of excitement on the kids’ faces are images that motivate us throughout the year,” VCBF director Juanita Giles said. “For some of these kids, the book we hand them may be one of the only ones in their house, and that makes this effort really special.”