The Little Rock School District’s spring campaign to have each of its 12,000 elementary school pupils read the same book — Cleo Edison Oliver, Playground Millionaire — draws to a close today with festivities that are open to the public at the Clinton Presidential Center.
The One District One Book initiative’s culminating event will be from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The event, which is free, will include stage performances by children from different schools, a display of toys created by kindergarten-through-second graders, a “Shark Tank”-style business competition, door prizes, informational booths and food trucks.
Shark Tank competitors will be vying for cash prizes totaling $2,000 compliments of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.
In April, Little Rock district leaders enlisted the help of chief executive officers from business, education and government - including Gov. Asa Hutchinson — to promote the reading of Sundee T. Frazier’s novel among the district’s elementary school pupils and their parents.
The story’s main character — fifth grader Cleo Edison Oliver puts together her own “tooth-pulling” company in response to a school assignment. The business starts well but then problems develop, pushing Cleo to find ways to save both her business and her friendships.
Frazier, the author, is scheduled to be at the event, which will also include a presentation of an award for the district’s One District One Book campaign.
Little Rock Superintendent Mike Poore started the districtwide book campaign, which intertwines reading and financial education, in the spring of 2017 with The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies. That was followed last winter with The World According to Humphrey, by Betty G. Birney.
No parking will be available at the Clinton Presidential Center today. Parking for the event will be on nearby streets.