For Young Readers
Several books were identified by the Big Read - Wichita partnership as companion books for Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God":
Grades Pre-Kindergarten-2: “Roy Makes a Car” by Mary Lyons and illustrated by Terry Widener, based on a story collected by Zora Neale Hurston
Grades 3-5: “Lies and Other Tales,” collected by Zora Neale Hurston, illustrated by Christopher Myers
Grades 6-8: “The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural,” by Patricia McKissack and illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Teacher Resources
Teacher's guides on using Hurston in the classroom are available online at www.neabigread.org. The site also features the reader's guide, a radio show and other materials.
Teachers, parents, book clubs or others interested in previous Big Read titles, Willa Cather's "My Ántonia" or "Great Tales of Edgar Allan Poe," may still receive free print copies of the reader's guide as supplies last. Classroom sets may be available. Contact Jennifer Heinicke at the Wichita Public Library, 316-261-8524 or jheinicke@wichita.gov for details. Information is also available for all Big Read titles can be found at www.neabigread.org.
Events
The Big Read Table
See The Big Read Table featuring the book, the tie-in titles, reader's guides, promotional materials and other books relating to the Zora Neale Hurston and the Harlem Renaissance on display.
Monday, Sept. 20 - Wed., Nov. 3, Barnes & Noble at Bradley Fair, 1920 N. Rock Rd, Wichita, KS 67206, (316) 315-0421
The Big Read Kickoff
The Big Read Wichita launches its third annual celebration with a dramatized reading from Zora Neale Hurston’s "Their Eyes Were Watching God" and Southern blues music to set the mood. Books (limit one per customer while supplies last), reader’s guides and bookmarks will be given out to attendees starting at 2 p.m., and the presentation will begin at 2:15 p.m.
2-4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 2, Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd., Wichita, KS 67203, (316) 268-4921
Story Time
10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 5, McConnell AFB Library, 53476 Wichita St. Bldg. 412, Wichita, KS 67221, (316) 759-4207
Art Start
Art Start is a preschool immersion program that encourages reading abilities, communication, motor skills and visual proficiency for children ages three through five. Classes take place at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays for children with a parent or adult sponsor and on Thursday and Fridays for small preschool groups. Free for 3-5 year olds and their adult chaperones, children over 5 are $3/person. Children under 3 must be in a stroller or front pack. Reservations required, call (316) 268-4929.
10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 5, Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd., Wichita, KS 67203, (316) 268-4929
10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 12, Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd., Wichita, KS 67203, (316) 268-4929
10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 19, Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd., Wichita, KS 67203, (316) 268-4929
10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 26, Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd., Wichita, KS 67203, (316) 268-4929
School Age Book Club
5:30-6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 7, McConnell AFB Library, 53476 Wichita St. Bldg. 412, Wichita, KS 67221, (316) 759-4207
African-American Folktale Storytime for Children
Enjoy a special kids' storytime featuring the tie-in picture books and related titles. We'll read stories, do a fun mask-making activity and have a special snack. Appropriate for children aged 4-8. Please RSVP to (316) 315-0421.
2-2:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 9, Barnes & Noble at Bradley Fair, 1920 N. Rock Rd, Wichita, KS 67206, (316) 315-0421
Storytime Village @ TKAAM
Kids will enjoy hearing storytellers present the companion titles by Zora Neale Hurston: "Roy Makes a Car" and "Lies and Other Tales." There will also be fun crafts relating to the stories. Free for ages 5-12. For 3-5 year olds and their parents. Free, but reservations required. Call 316-268-4929.
2-4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 9, The Kansas African American Museum, 601 N. Water, Wichita, KS 67203, (316) 262-7651
Zora Neale Hurston: Queen of the Harlem Renaissance
Flamboyant and outspoken, Hurston joined Langston Hughes and other black writers in Harlem to create a renaissance of African American culture in the 1920s. Her work was forgotten until the 1970s, when she inspired a new generation of black writers. Hurston shares her stories, her life’s joys and tragedies, in this dynamic presentation. Historically re-enacted by Dr. Carmaletta Williams, English Department, Johnson County Community College.
2:30-3:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 10, Wichita Public Library - Central Library, 223 S. Main, Wichita, KS 67202, (316) 261-8500
Let's Make a Car
Families are invited to join us on the fourth floor of the Historical Museum for an up-close look at our locally-made Jones Six automobile. Kids are invited to take part in a fun craft activity and storytime as we enjoy Zora Neale Hurston's classic tall-tale "Roy Makes a Car."
2-3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 16, Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, 204 S. Main, Wichita, KS 67202, (316) 265-9314
Tales from Zora Neale Hurston
Join Junior Storytellers as they share tales from Zora Neale Hurston’s writings and traditions. For ages 6-10.
3-4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 17, Wichita Public Library - Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian, Wichita, KS 67217, (316) 337-9119
Family Artventure
Your Artventure begins when you stop by the Welcome Desk to pick up your activity sheet. Your activity sheet takes you through a selection of artworks in our galleries and asks you to solve problems or think of questions. The Artventure ends with a related art-making activity in the studio. No reservations are required for this free event and it lasts about an hour.
11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 23, Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd., Wichita, KS 67203, (316) 268-4921
A Harlem Renaissance Fair
Join us for an afternoon celebration of the arts of the Harlem Renaissance. Featuring storytelling of Zora Neale Hurston’s collected Southern folktales by The Griots, 1920s jazz music, poetry readings, and more. Flapper attire is optional, but it will truly round out the experience!
2:30-4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 30, Old Cowtown Museum, 1865 Museum Blvd., Wichita, KS 67203, (316) 219-1871