Merry the Christmas Fairy first landed in Marshall County in 2015 when the library saw an opportunity to promote early literacy through the holidays. The first year Santa's librarian made visits to the library's Story Hour programs, but soon her holiday reach grew.

"By the second year Merry had a book, was visiting local classrooms, and attending the Calvert City and Benton Christmas parades," says Tammy Blackwell, Director of the Marshall County Public Library and creator of Merry the Christmas Fairy. "Now she has a whole mythology and kids who have grown up learning about the magic of reading from Merry."

To celebrate Merry's 10th anniversary, the library's annual holiday walk-through is themed "Merry Reads" this year and will feature Christmas books from popular children's characters. The walk-through is scheduled to open December 13 and will be available during regular library hours up to the Christmas holiday. 

The 2025 Merry book signing will take place Saturday, December 13, at the Benton branch of the Marshall County Public Library from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The fifth grade illustrators will be on hand to sign free copies of the book that celebrates Merry's birthday.