In 1981, when ELBA was born, a list of titles were selected for the students to read. Beginning in 1985 themes were added in order to enhance the titles, activities, and support materials. Pirates, the circus, monsters and magic were among the early themes. In 1988 slogans were added - Reading Across the Prairie, Be a "Knightly" Reader, Reading Is Out Of This World, Color Your World With Reading, Spotlight on Young Authors, Reading--Your Passport to the World, Solve Mysteries...Read!, Tune In To Reading, Set Sail With Books, The Library--A Neverending Story, Any Time Is Reading Time, Round Up Good Books, ABC...Read With Me, Good Books Are Cropping Up, We Want You...To Read, Lions & Tigers & Books--Oh, My!, Explore New Frontiers--Read!, Celebrating ELBA...Simply the Best! (all nominees were chosen from previous winners), Dragons, Dreams and ELBA Reads, Paws, Claws, Scales & Tales, Get a Clue @Your Library and Catch the Reading Bug.