The way Lorraine Verploegen looks at it, adults have "Men Who Cook for Women who Wine," and children have "Cooks for Books."

Verploegen, executive director of United Way of Hill County, oversaw the operations at Cooks for Books on Saturday.

The first "Cooks for Books" program was held at the Holiday Village Mall Saturday. It raised some money for the United Way program and spread the word about some community programs that encourage young people to read.

Several community groups had their cooks come up with treats for young people to eat. Each group was dressed in attire of the characters of a children's book.

For instance, when people entered the mall's community room, they first saw a table where Kitty Keepers offered fudge by Tim Bergren, dressed as the Mad Hatter and Zoe Stiffarm dressed as Alice. Penney Bergren, the heart and soul of Kitty Keepers, was in full cat regalia, welcoming each visitor.

Verploegen said Saturday's event was a success in that it attracted people to enjoy the food and raised money for the Plant a Seed... Read program program, which offers several initiatives aimed at encouraging youngsters to read.

The program operates:

• Imagination Library, which provides free age-appropriate books for Hill County children born in 2010, 2011, 2012;

• Flower Power, which provides books and materials for parent read- aloud workshops;

• Cozy Corners, which offers books and materials for volunteers to read at daycare facilities; and

• Materials for bookcases and bookracks for children.

Verploegen said about 60 people paid the $5 to get in the event and vote on the best recipe.