NORWICH – Recognized by caregivers, parents and early childhood educators as the Month of the Young Child, April will find mother of three, college student and intern for the county’s Child Care Coordinating Council Heather McShane putting together a month’s worth of activities and events to celebrate the nationally designated initiative.

Things will kick off Sunday with a children’s book giveaway at Nina’s Pizzeria and Oxford’s Roma Pizzeria, and continue throughout the month with area children’s artwork displayed in the storefront of the former First Edition Book Store. On Sunday, any child eating at one of the local pizzerias will receive a free book, as long as supplies last. A Child Care Provider Appreciation Dinner, said McShane, is also being planned for the end of the month, featuring guest speaker, parent and lawyer Saima Akhtar, who she called “a great speaker.”