Children’s performer Jackson Gillman had a riddle for the kids gathered at Minot Forest Elementary School on Wednesday night.

“What kind of berry makes you smarter?” he asked.

“A strawberry?” one child answered.

“I think it’s a li-berry,” said Gillman.

Jokes such as that, sing-alongs and interactive performances were all part of the free event, “A Night of Global Stories and Songs.”

Paid for with a grant awarded to the Office of Beyond School Time, the event was designed to get kids excited about reading during Family Literacy Month.

“Tonight’s all about helping kids develop language and vocal skills while having fun,” said Marianne Murphy, coordinator of the office’s parent/child home visiting program.

At the end of performance, children were sent home with free books and other material donated by Little People’s College, Best Friends Preschool, the Women, Infants and Children program and Wareham Public Schools.

On hand to volunteer and help pass out materials were Little People’s College Director Rosa Delarosa and teacher Talia Mattos.