What is a StoryWalk? It is a unique and enjoyable way to read a picture book! This interactive story experience combines nature, physical activity, and early literacy learning. A series of signs are placed outside, and each numbered sign contains two pages of a picture book. Families walk from post to post to read the book. There may be prompts for children to complete actions to complement the storyline or questions to encourage them to think about the book more deeply.
Spring is a great time to be outside, listening to the birds, watching the clouds, and going for a walk as a family. A StoryWalk adds one more interesting component to the outing. Engage a child’s imagination and encourage literacy! Visit any or all of the 4 Adams County Library StoryWalk installations around the county each month for a new story.
Here’s a sneak peek at the April titles at each location, each celebrating spring in its own way:
The Harbaugh-Thomas Library Courtyard StoryWalk will be Hotel Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins. Bruce, the eternally grumpy bear, goes to Florida in the winter with “his” geese rather than hibernating. When he returns home in the spring, he is sleep-deprived and not happy to find that the local animals have turned his abode into a hotel. All he ever wants is to be left alone! The books in this series are all clever and humorous, and I can’t wait to look out the library window and see families enjoy this story together.
The Carroll Valley Library will continue their monthly StoryWalks in the adjoining Carroll Valley Park with Plant the Tiny Seed by Christie Matheson. What does a seed need to grow into a beautiful flower? This book encourages one to tap, press, or rub the pages to create some magic and see what happens on the next page. And don’t forget to look for the ladybug in every picture!
Enjoy the classic counting adventure Ten Little Caterpillars written by Bill Martin Jr. and illustrated by Lois Ehlert while you are at the Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority Park. This caterpillar to butterfly story is simple, engaging and colorful.
Finally, Spring is Here: A Bear and Mole Story by Will Hillenbrand will be displayed at the East Berlin Community Park. What can Mole do to wake up his friend Bear after a long winter’s nap? It turns out to be an exhausting process.
Remember, the fun doesn’t end in April; each library will feature a new book in May and beyond!
The StoryWalk Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk is a registered service mark owned by Ferguson.
Barbara Buckley is Branch Manager of the Harbaugh-Thomas Library, part of the Adams County Library System.