Students Head To Library

BENTONVILLE — What fairy tale ends without a ball? Certainly not the one taking place in Bentonville in the coming weeks.

The One District, One Book program starts Monday and ends March 3 with a fairy tale ball at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

Lisa St. John, principal at Apple Glen Elementary School and an organizer of the program, said the name of the book is a secret right now but added there is a definite fairy tale theme to it.

The program includes middle school students and a majority of elementary students in the Bentonville School District reading the same book at home with their parents.

The program is meant to encourage parents to read aloud to their children, St. John said. Studies show students gain reading skills when they listen to someone read, St. John said.

The Bentonville Public Library and Crystal Bridges are program partners with the school district.

Janelle Redlaczyk, Crystal Bridges media relations manager, said the museum often partners with the library and area schools on family events.

“When this program was discussed, it seemed a natural fit for us all to collaborate,” Redlaczyk said. “Holding the fairy tale ball here offers a chance for families to visit the museum, celebrate this program and experience all the events here. The museum’s Great Hall will serve as a community gathering place for this event, and because of the diversity of spaces here, we’re able to incorporate the event museum-wide, with everything from scavenger hunts in the galleries to art-making activities in the classroom spaces.”

Events at the museum will include music and dancing, performances from the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra and the String Coalition along with activities with Trike Theater and Project Play.

The district has held One District, One Book for at least five years, St. John said.

Sue Pekel, Bentonville Public Library children’s librarian, said the library is thrilled to participate in the program.

“The One District, One Book Program is a perfect fit for the mission of the Bentonville Public Library, which is to engage our community, to encourage discovery and promote literacy by offering lifelong-learning opportunities,” Pekel said. “What could be more fun than reading a great book together with all the children of our community?”