The Black Stallion All Ages Read-A-Thon!

Join the Libraries to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the movie "The Black Stallion."

You are invited to read any of The Black Stallion Books written by Walter and Steven Farley to earn a chance to win tickets to see the Arabian Nights show in Orlando, Florida.

The Read-A-Thon runs from Feb. 1 through April 1, 2009. Children and adults may read as many Black Stallion books as they choose during the Read-A-Thon and turn in a completed reading form for each book read to the Youth Desk at any Sarasota County Library. (Find Black Stallion books.)

Each library has a large Black Stallion poster with blank reading forms or download the form here (PDF, 1 page). Each form will be a raffle ticket for 5 pairs of tickets to Arabian Nights. Tickets will be awarded on April 15 during National Library Week. During the Read-A-Thon, visit the Walter Farley Literary Landmark at the Venice Library to learn more about the Black Stallion books.

As a kick-off for the Read-A-Thon, six of the eight libraries will show the 30-year-old film about the black stallion:

• Fruitville Library: Feb. 28, from 1 to 3 p.m. (Enjoy a craft activity afterwards!)
• Selby Library: Feb. 28, from 2 to 4 p.m.
• North Port Library: Mar. 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Enjoy a craft activity afterwards from 1 to 2 p.m.!)

 Visit the Black Stallion Read-A-Thon books page.