ETSU has paired with East Tennessee’s Historical Society and a public library in Knoxville to bring “Reading Appalachia: Voices from Children’s Literature, an Interactive Exhibit” to ETSU’s campus from now until March 25.

This exhibit will be held at the Reece Museum Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Amy Steadman is over the programming of the event and said, “We are really excited to host this event. We are the fourth site in the state to receive this exhibit. The event will explore history and interpret the theme of children’s literature.”

“Reading Appalachia” will have an interpretation of many books from a child’s perspective, and that is not all. Visitors will have the opportunity to listen to real-life storyteller Ray Hicks at this exhibit. The exhibit will also feature several decades’ worth of reading literature starting from the 1800’s “Firefox,” well into modern time with “Christie.” Some other titles that will be shown include “Journey Cake Ho,” “A Mountain Rose,” “When Otter Tricked the Rabbit” and “When I Was Young.”

The idea behind “Reading Appalachia: Voices from Children’s Literature, an Interactive Exhibit” is to make stories come to life and let people feel like they are walking through a life-size storybook. There will be characters that are life-size and can stand eye-to-eye with children. Books that you can read and actually touch will also be available. There will be a wide range of clothes from the time period of the books, masks from characters, toys from the Appalachia, music, and several activities for children of all ages to help them interact with the story.

This event will also be a fun-filled field trip of 72 children from the Jonesborough area.

This exhibit is free, and parking passes are available for visitors during the week.