Community events planned for annual literacy program
Jim Gill, left, Courtney Wallace, Liz Strauss, Wanda Krocker and Rachael Bowers are all members of the One Book One Community Committee.
The Tuscarawas County Literacy Coalition has announced its annual One Book One Community events for 2024, centered around the novel “Things Seen from Above” by Shelley Pearsall.
This year’s programming will feature a variety of activities designed to foster a love for reading and creative expression.
Art contest
The Tuscarawas County Literacy Coalition is sponsoring an art contest for students to create a bird’s-eye view art piece. The contest is open to two age categories: fifth grade through eighth grade and high school.
Submissions are due by Friday, Oct. 18 and should be delivered to local libraries. The first-place winner will be featured as the cover artist for the final event program. Winners will be announced during the OBOC event on Monday, Nov. 4 at Kent State Tuscarawas.
Writing contest
Sponsored by the Tuscarawas County Writers’ Guild, a writing contest themed “On the Fringes of Society: How did you deal with feeling like an outsider?” is open to students in ninth grade through 12th grade and adults age 19 and older.
The contest, with a maximum word count of 3,000, opened on Aug. 30, with a submission deadline of Saturday, Oct. 5. Winners will be announced before Oct. 23, with prizes awarded during the Monday, Nov. 4 event at Kent State Tuscarawas.
Local StoryWalks
Sponsored by Dover Public Library and Tuscarawas County Public Library System, StoryWalks featuring picture books that coincide with “Things Seen from Above” by Shelley Pearsall will offer outdoor reading experience for families. Contact your local library for locations.
Book club discussions
Community members are encouraged to participate in continuous book discussions throughout September and October, focused on the book “Things Seen from Above.”
These discussions will take place at various local libraries and venues, offering an opportunity for readers of all ages to engage in dialogue. For more details on event times and locations, visit the One Book One Community Facebook page or contact your local library.
Literacy Connections Day
On Friday, Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Kent State Tuscarawas will host a special Literacy Connections Day targeting students in fifth grade through eighth grade. The event will feature a live Zoom presentation from Pearsall, group activities for extended learning and the presentation of middle school art and essay awards. Lunch will be provided.
Final event
The community is invited to the final culminating event on Monday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. in the Founders Hall of Kent State Tuscarawas. This event will feature another live Zoom presentation from Pearsall, alongside the presentation of high school and adult art and essay awards.
About One Book One Community
One Book One Community is a reading initiative that strives to create conversation and bridge differences through the shared experience of reading the same book. By creating conversation, people discover they have more in common with each other than they think.
Visit the One Book One Community Facebook page or www.tuscliteracy.org.