Home / Entertainment / Features /
Fourth-graders read 'The Black Stallion,' see a horse show
By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
This article was published May 5, 2009 at 11:25 a.m.
Thousands of fourth-graders read "The Black Stallion," Walter Farley's classic 1941 novel, in school through the Black Stallion Literacy Foundation, as Ron Wolfe writes in Wednesday's Family section. About 6,000 fourth-graders are gathered at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock on a recent Monday morning to see a horse show, their reward for being part of the reading program.
They arrive in a herd of yellow school buses from Little Rock, Hot Springs, Greenbrier, Des Arc, Bryant - many of them clutching their copies of "The Black Stallion." The book's cover shows the black horse dramatically against a streaked red sky.
Typical Arkansas boy, red-haired Noah Stewart, 10, is happy to tell why the book is important.
"Walter Farley always dreamed of riding a horse," Noah says. "All of a sudden, he started riding his own imaginary horse. And it turned out to be a big accomplishment."
Noah's report isn't quite the foundation's official history, but close enough. "Imagination can help you reach to the heavens," Farley said.
Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
Thank you for coming to the Web site of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. We're working to keep you informed with the latest breaking news.
