SPANISH FORT, Ala.—Little readers along the Eastern Shore will get a special treat June 18 when Barnes and Noble at the Eastern Shore Centre hosts a very special guest: Skippyjon Jones.

Storytime begins at 3 p.m. headlined by Judith Byron Schachner’s "rambunctious kitty boy with very large ears and a gigantico imagination to match," shopping center spokeswoman Kristen Kammer-Hattox said.

The reading will feature "Skippyjon Jones in the Dog House," and true fans are clamoring to catch a glimpse of their favorite swashbuckling feline superhero.

"I’ve read ‘Treasure Hunt,’ ‘Lost in Spice’ and ‘Presto-Change-O’ but not this one," said Kaitlyn Ferini, 8, of Spanish Fort.

Children unable to swing Skippyjon’s appearance, however, can still check out the booksellers next storytime at 11 a.m. June 22, with a reading of Brian Lies’ "Bats at the Beach."