Grab a book and an audience. People around the world are reading some of their favorite books together on Wednesday as part of World Read Aloud Day.

Laurelton-Pardee Intermediate School in Irondequoit is celebrating the joy of reading with students and talking about the importance of reading with family and friends.

“We are stressing the importance of reading and a love of reading. Reading aloud to your kids at home is just so important. Kids really appreciate it, kids of all ages, even kids in the older grades just enjoy sitting and listening to someone reading a story to them. It is not intimidating, they do not need to know the words they can just sit back and enjoy," said Deanna Young, a fifth-grade teacher.

Students at Laurelton-Pardee are encouraged to read to each other and read to Maggie, the school's therapy dog.

"Kids love to come in and read to Maggie. Reading to a pet is a great experience for kids whether it is a therapy dog or just a hamster at home because it really takes the pressure off," said librarian Jenn Costello. Kids just read and enjoy it and get that love the animal provides. It can help with fluency and their comfort level with reading and really it is just a great experience for kids. “

Laurelton invited several guest readers to read aloud to students, including Irondequoit's chief of police and the Irondequoit town supervisor.

Fifth-grader Michael Leonard loves to read. He read the entire Harry Potter book series.

“I just love going into a whole different world. It is like you are not even here anymore and you learn and it’s fun at the same time,“ said Leonard.

World Read Aloud Day is an effort celebrated in more than 170 countries.