DECATUR - Every passing kid was a potential target, as Flo freshened her lipstick and then snagged a laughing boy to plant a kiss on his cheek.

A moment later, she was hoppin' and boppin' to the classic surf song "Wipe Out," with a gleeful and pigtailed partner.

"I should have bought candy Kisses," Flo said, nevertheless willing to bestow yet another red lip mark on another student.

"Flo," usually known as Harris School Principal Kathy Thompson, was part of a picnic held in the pavilion at Hess Park, next to the school. Students read a laudable 2,176 books this year, and the picnic was their reward. One sixth-grade class alone read 542 books.

The original plan was to have lunch on the lawn, but Wednesday's damp weather put the kibosh on that. But that didn't stop hordes of children from clambering all over the playground once their lunches was eaten.

Thompson usually can be found dressed in costume for various reward events at Harris. A favorite is her Captain Jack Sparrow from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, and she's also appeared as a beach bum. Flo is a new addition, consisting of jeweled glasses, a brunette bouffant and a poodle skirt outfit - and of course, the lipstick.

Julie Delabre, an alternative placement assistant at Harris, said the school has held an annual reading challenge for three years. Students kept track of every book they read or that was read to them, whether it was at school or at home, and parents were asked to pitch in.

"All 300 kids, everybody read," Delabre said. "We're excited."

Porsha Clark read with her 8-year-old daughter, Christina, almost every night, making it through about 90 Dr. Seuss and princess stories, such as "Cinderella" and "Beauty and the Beast."

"I try to stay on top of that," Clark said. "I'm a working mom, and I try to keep her busy with books."

Valerie Wells can be reached at vwells@herald-review.com or 421-7982.