News Briefs LAKE COUNTY
The Lake County Library's 2023 NEA Big Read continues through March 25 with Thursday marking the start of the companion 2023 Little Read.
The Big Read isn't just for adults. Kids can join in the action too with companion Little Read book titles that touch on the same themes of the adult selection. Library staff selected four age-appropriate books to capture the spirit of the Big Read poetry book, Postcolonial Love Poem by Natalie Diaz. The following selected books relate to themes of diversity, resilience, hope, honoring water, and embracing life and nature:
Dreamers by Yuyi Morales
(Picture Book, recommended for grades 1 to 2, Age 6 to 7 and up)
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
(Picture Book, recommended for grades Kindergarten, Age 5 to 6 and up)
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
(Chapter Book, recommended for grades 4 to 6, Age 9 to 11)
Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Méndez
(Picture Book, recommended for grades Kindergarten, Age 5 to 6 and up)
Families are encouraged to attend any or all of four free Little Read Storytimes hosted at each library branch in March:
Redbud Library, 14785 Burns Valley Road, Clearlake Thursday 3/2/2023, 10:15 am
Little Read at Middletown Library, 21256 Washington Street, Middletown Tuesday 3/7/2023, 10:30 am
Little Read at Lakeport Library, 1425 N. High Street, Lakeport Friday 3/10/2023, 10:15 am and 2:30 pm
Little Read at Upper Lake Library, 310 Second Street, Upper Lake Wednesday 3/15/2023, 2:30 pm
Copies of the Little Read books will also be provided for free to local elementary schools to add to their school library collections.
To view the full schedule of NEA Big Read events, go to http://www. lakecountybigread.com/. Follow the Big Read on Facebook by visiting https://www.facebook. com/LakeCountyBigRead/.
The NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, which seeks to broaden our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. The NEA Big Read showcases a diverse range of contemporary titles that reflect many different voices and perspectives, aiming to inspire conversation and discovery.
Visit arts.gov/neabigread for more information about the NEA Big Read. Organizations interested in applying for an NEA Big Read grant in the future should visit Arts Midwest's at https:// artsmidwest.org/ for more information.