Coeur d'Alene is planning a birthday celebration for its favorite four-legged celebrities ­Mudgy Moose and Millie Mouse. The festivities are set to begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12 behind the Coeur d'Alene Public Library at 702 E. Front Ave.

A highlight of the event planned for the celebration will be setting a world record for the largest children's book read-in ever held says Ruth Pratt, Executive Director of the Coeur d'Alene Public Library Foundation.

She encourages participants to dress up as Mudgy or Millie and to bring their copy of the “Mudgy & Millie” book or share one at the party.

“It should be a fun event, with Susan Nipp, author of the “Mudgy & Millie” storybook, leading the read-in,” Pratt said, adding that the read-in will be documented for future placement on YouTube. “This will be a chance for children in our community to be part of a world record, reading this story about the people and places that make Coeur d'Alene so special.”

In addition to the “Mudgy & Millie” read-in, the birthday party will include appearances by Mudgy Moose to lead the group singing the “Mudgy & Millie” song, and a book signing by Nipp and Lee.

Papillion Paper Emporium will also reveal the winners of the “Mudgy & Millie” design-a-card contest and there will be birthday cake for the children. All card entries will be displayed at the Library Sept. 1-12.

Since “Mudgy & Millie” premiered last September more than 10,000 copies of the book have been sold and thousands have walked the 2 1/4 mile Mudgy Moose Trail through downtown Coeur d'Alene. Proceeds from the sale of the book and associated merchandise help support the Coeur d'Alene Public Library Foundation.

For additional information on the event, contact Ruth Pratt, the Coeur d'Alene Public Library Foundation, 702 E. Front Avenue, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814, (208) 769-2380 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For additional information on Mudgy & Millie, go on line to www.mudgyandmillie.com.

News about the library and other city departments is also available on the City of Coeur d’Alene news blog: http://cdacity.blogspot.com/.