The kids from Western Pocono Community Library's Storybook Theatre bring laughter to the stage in their upcoming performance of "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc. Dinner with the author and show will be on Thursday, July 17, if the author is well after a recent illness. Meet the author at 5 p.m., dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. and the show is at 6:30 p.m. at the library, at 131 Pilgrim Way, Brodheadsville, across from the Pleasant Valley Middle School. Please call to reserve for dinner at 570-992-7934.

"This is just the funniest play. I laugh every time the kids practice it," says Patti Weiss, play director and WPCL circulation desk/cataloging manager.The premise of the play is based on the book, "The Phantom Tollbooth," about a boy named Milo who finds everything a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he's got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the Island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and even embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason. Somewhere along the way, Milo realizes something astonishing. Life is far from dull. In fact, it's exciting beyond his wildest dreams.The book is part of the "One County One Book" program, supported by Foxhowe Association and Associated Libraries of Monroe County. Throughout Monroe County during the month of July, several of the county's libraries are promoting the book. Anyone between the ages of 8-12 can receive a free copy by visiting a Monroe County library.