Reading in the Delta PBS project making stop at public library

Arkansas PBS will be visiting the Forrest City Public Library on Monday, May 3, at 4:30 p.m., as part of its Reading in the Delta tour.

"The event will include a meal, story time featuring 'Dragons Love Tacos,’ and resources and snack bags for each family to take home," said Sheila Gracey, children and youth services coordinator at the library.

The program is a part of four "Fun Family Reading Events" sponsored by PBS across the Delta in May.

“Dragons Love Tacos” is a New York Times bestselling children's book by Adam Rubin that promotes family reading out loud. It is a tale about new friends and the perfect snack to make readers laugh.

"The event was an initiative to provide literacy resources and to encourage family engagement," said Gracey about the information provided for the event.

"Funding for the Reading in the Delta is from the Joan R. and Charles M. Taylor II Memorial Endowment Fund," said Gracey. Other partners include Rural Community Alliance, Arkansas Imagination Library, Southern Bancorp, Arkansas Food Bank and Food

Bank of Northeast Arkansas.

Another reading event taking place through the library is the Arkansas Book Club.

May's scheduled book is "The Masterpiece" by Fiona Davis.

The book follows two women, Clara Darden and Virginia Clay, through different eras and is centered around New York's Grand Central Terminal's height, fall, decay and rediscovery and Clay's quest to unravel the mystery of Darden's disappearance from history in 1931.

Also taking place at the Library in May will be the monthly book sale, which is set for Saturday, May 1, from 8 until 11 a.m.

Books will be $2 per bag and bags will be provided by the library.

The library will also be celebrating its 100th Year on Saturday, May 15, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

"We will have an open house, food and door prizes," said Gracey. "Marty Boone, the magic balloon man, will also be here from noon until 2 p.m.”

For more information on Reading in the Delta, visit myarkansaspbs.org/parents.

For more information on library events, call the library at 870-633-5646.

Brodie Johnson • Times-Herald Forrest City Police Officer Jeremy Johnson directs traffic at the intersection of Broadway and Izard streets this morning. An accident on Interstate 40 involving a pair of 18-wheelers blocked the interstate, causing motorists to find another way to get to their destinations, bringing many of them through downtown Forrest City.