There was a reindeer sighting last Saturday in Davies Center, with Santa Claus visiting the bookstore to promote campus holiday cheer and entertain children.

University Bookstore Assistant Manager Heather Lee said having an event that attracts community members and their children is fun for them.

“We don’t see a lot of kids here at the university,” Lee said. “We wanted an event that would encourage community members to bring their kids in and encourage holiday spirit.”

This is the second year Santa has come to visit the bookstore to read to children and ask them what they would like for Christmas.

UW-Eau Claire professor Rob Reid also showed up to read portions from his new book, “Biographies to Read Aloud with Kids.”

Reid, also a published children’s literature author, said it was nice reading aloud to kids, something he used to do more often when he was a children’s librarian. Now Reid reads most of his children’s books to college students studying to become teachers or librarians.

Reid’s new book is the second in a series he is publishing with Huron Street Press out of Chicago. He said he is inspired by other children’s books.

“I look at a lot of text, a lot of children’s books to see which ones have the lively, interesting text that just rolls off the tongue,” Reid said.

Although Reid said he doesn’t do as many public readings as he used to, he still makes it out on occasion.

Rebecca White Body heard about the event from Volume One and decided to bring her son.

“It’s a nice place to take (children) for an outing,” White Body said. “It’s good to have something to do to keep them entertained.”

Santa’s visit was part of the bookstore’s open house, which included cookies, coffee, cider and a sale on all Champion items the bookstore carries.