MURRIETA - In a true story about generosity, members of Friends of the Library on Wednesday gave out more than 250 books to preschool students at Head Start Murrieta.

The "library ladies," as one boisterous 4-year-old called them, were popular visitors as they bestowed little packages containing two paperback books to each child.

As part of a tradition started in 2004, Friends members reached into their own pockets and bought books for the 105 students in the federal Head Start program on Las Brisas Road.

Friends Coordinator Luanne Ferrer said members expanded on the program last year and started visiting the Head Start classrooms regularly to read to the children.

Teacher Tammy Whitney said it's been a big help.

"It's been wonderful for the kids," she said. "They don't just read. They bring in activities and props and really hold their attention. The kids look forward to it."

The Murrieta preschool serves students from low-income families in classrooms next to the Riverside County Office of Education building, off Los Alamos Road. Whitney said some of the families don't have money to buy basics such as food and clothing, much less books.

But there was no lack of smiles Wednesday, as the children peered at books about race cars, dinosaurs, cats in hats and other classic topics. One little boy named Gabriel beamed as he grasped two Hot Wheels books Ferrer handed to him, clasping them to his chest. One of them he later traded with another boy, Garrett, for a book about fire engines.

Parent Betsabe Vargas read "If You Give a Pig a Pancake" to her daughter, Nayana Velarde, 4, who promptly fell asleep in her lap. It's not the book, Vargas said, her daughter always falls asleep when she is read to.

"These are books I haven't seen before," she said. "This is great. They are so happy getting books like these."

Vargas said she takes her older children, ages 5 and 7, to the library about twice each week, a habit Murrieta's children's librarian, Beth Jones, would certainly endorse. Jones attended the book giveaway Wednesday, telling the children to come see her in the library.

"We want you guys to grow up loving to read and learn all of your life," Jones said.

Members of the Friends group raised enough money this year to buy 254 books, Ferrer said, and will donate the 40 or so left over after the Head Start giveaway to the Murrieta Library and the Murrieta Fire Department, which will give them to children in need.

Meanwhile, Gabriel was not finished discussing the experience. He pointed out that he knows the librarian, Jones, and can tell which car in his Hot Wheels book is the fastest (the silver one). A little girl walked by, glanced very briefly at the cars and said she was putting her books in her "cubby."

"Thank you," she called over her shoulder as the library ladies were preparing to leave.

Ferrer, the Friends volunteer, said the program started when a Head Start teacher came into the Friends' used bookstore looking for books for her students.

"It's just such fun," she said. "I have the feeling that some don't have many books at home. It also encourages their parents to read to them."

Head Start has been in Murrieta for about eight years, and serves families from across Southwest County.