The Kentucky Derby will be run on May 3 and May 4, 2013 in Chruchill Downs, Kentucky. It is a two minute horse race that happens every year on the first Saturday in May. The horses racing are the world’s top 20 3-year-old throughbreds. The horses race 1 1/4 miles around a track.

And you know what else? Fashion matters. Seriously. Read about the clothes rules for people who are there just to watch.

Four authors: Catherine Ryan Hyde, Kimberly Pauley, Andrew Smith & Brian Farrey, author of The Vengekeep Prophecies, have a bet with each other about which horse will win The Kentucky Derby. The winner of the bet does not have to write a story but all of the losers have to write a story based on a topic given to them by one of the other authors. Check back after the Derby and we’ll add the stories for 2013.

While you are waiting, here are the stories that resulted from the 2012 Kentucky Derby bet:

• From Andrew, we got “Miss Candor Sends Her Regrets.” (Title supplied by me.)
• From Catherine, we got “The Art of Being Stuck Here.” (Title supplied by Andrew.)
• From Kimberly, we got “Uncle Mo’s Gastrointestinal  Tract.” (Title evilly supplied by Catherine, a reference to a horse that had to bow out of last year’s race due to…digestive issues.)

Websites:

• The Kentucky Derby
• The Kentucky Derby Horses

Books:

Thanks to Downtown Comics our library branches are celebrating Free Comic Book Day this Saturday, May 4, 2013. Stop by any IMCPL Branch Location on Saturday to pick up your free comic book. Come early – available while supplies last. Get more information on Free Comic Book Day at http://www.freecomicbookday.com/Home/1/1/27/992 .

Children of all ages and families are invited to hear members of the Indiana Pacers read their favorite stories in children’s literature during “Read Like a Pro — Call-a-Pacer 2013″ on The Indianapolis Public Library’s 24-hour Call-a-Story telephone line.

By dialing 275-4444, or toll-free at 877-275-9007, callers will hear recorded stories from Pacers players who demonstrate their love of reading as a way to encourage young ones to develop the habit.

This year’s “Read Like a Pro — Call-a-Pacer 2013″ schedule includes:

Beginning April 29 Read by: Paul George Is Your Mama a Llama? Deborah Guarino	Beginning May 6th Read by: Gerald Green I’ve Lost My Hippopotamus Jack Prelutsky
Beginning May 13th Read by: Orlando Johnson How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You? Jane Yolen	Beginning May 20th Read by: George Hill How Do You Feel? Anthony Browne
Beginning May 28 Read by: Ian Mahinmi Never Take a Shark to the Dentist Judi Barrett	Beginning June 3rd Read by: Jeff Pendergraph Wiggle Doreen Cronin
Beginning June 10th Read by: Tyler Hansbrough Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Bill Martin, Jr.	Beginning June 17th Read by: Miles Plumlee Pop! The Invention of Bubble Gum Meghan McCarthy

Children of all ages and families are invited to hear members of the Indiana Pacers read their favorite stories in children’s literature during “Read Like a Pro — Call-a-Pacer 2013″ on The Indianapolis Public Library’s 24-hour Call-a-Story telephone line.

By dialing 275-4444, or toll-free at 877-275-9007, callers will hear recorded stories from Pacers players who demonstrate their love of reading as a way to encourage young ones to develop the habit.

This year’s “Read Like a Pro — Call-a-Pacer 2013″ schedule includes:

Beginning April 1 Read by: David West Little Owl’s Night Divya Srinivasan	Beginning April 8th Read by: DJ Augustin Grumpy Cat Britta Teckentrup
Beginning April 15th Read by: Danny Granger Llama Llama Red Pajama Anna Dewdney	Beginning April 22nd Read by: Roy Hibbert Corduroy Don Freeman
Beginning April 29 Read by: Paul George Is Your Mama a Llama? Deborah Guarino	Beginning May 6th Read by: Gerald Green I’ve Lost My Hippopotamus Jack Prelutsky
Beginning May 13th Read by: Orlando Johnson How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You? Jane Yolen	Beginning May 20th Read by: George Hill How Do You Feel? Anthony Browne
Beginning May 28 Read by: Ian Mahinmi Never Take a Shark to the Dentist Judi Barrett	Beginning June 3rd Read by: Jeff Pendergraph Wiggle Doreen Cronin
Beginning June 10th Read by: Tyler Hansbrough Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Bill Martin, Jr.	Beginning June 17th Read by: Miles Plumlee Pop! The Invention of Bubble Gum Meghan McCarthy