StoryWalk: A new project of the Reedsburg Public Library

Recognizing that in the days of physical distancing (and good weather) there is no better learning venue than the great outdoors, Reedsburg Public Library’s Miss Jess and Miss Maxine have constructed a StoryWalk, which is now in City Park until Thursday, Sept. 3.

StoryWalk is an outdoor activity for children and adults. Individual pages from a children’s picture book are attached to signs and lined up in order along a path for children and parents to read as they walk. Since its inception in 2007, the activity has gained popularity as a public library activity. 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 Ms. Ferguson.

In a letter written by Ferguson, she states that the project “has always been about promoting early literacy, physical activity, and family time together in nature.” Miss Jess’ picture book choice, “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by John Archambault, and illustrated by Lois Ehlert, is an iconic early literacy title. In the story, letters of the alphabet compete to ascend a coconut tree, with calamitous and hilarious results. On each page of the story, Miss Jess and Miss Maxine have added additional educational questions as well as suggestions for activities relating to that page.

Though simple in concept, the realization of the project took some effort. Because of copyright restrictions it was not possible to make copies of the pages, but it was permissible to take apart an actual copy of the book for display purposes. A high quality adhesive laminate, usually employed in covering paperback books, was used to cover the book pages. These were attached to lawn signs with a heavy duty Velcro, so that the signs may be used again for other picture books.

Since its first installation on Aug. 12 at Harvest Park, response to the StoryWalk has been positive. The first sign asks visitors to scan the QR code on the sign with a cellphone if they have one. This scan gives library staff some participation statistics. However, before the first StoryWalk signs were even in place, children from the Boys and Girls Club across the street were heard to exclaim “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom -- I love that book!”

Take a StoryWalk at City Park in the next week courtesy of Reedsburg Public Library. Read, experience the outdoors, and enjoy! For more information about StoryWalk or any other library program or activity call the library at 768-READ (7323).