What is a StoryWalk®?
StoryWalk® is an innovative and delightful way for children — and adults! — to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Laminated pages from a children's book are inserted into a covered display marker, which are installed along an outdoor path. As you stroll down the trail, you're directed to the next page in the story.
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StoryWalk® was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT
and has developed with the help of Rachel Senechal,
Kellogg-Hubbard Library.
The Benefits of StoryWalk®
StoryWalk® provides early literacy opportunities to young children. Sharing the reading of a StoryWalk book stimulates and fosters the development of strong listening and speaking skills. StoryWalk also helps to build a child’s vocabulary which is important to thinking and learning. Developing early literacy skills leads to better preparation for school.
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StoryWalk® provides a teaching moment for a child’s first teacher – their family. Children and their families can read the book together then discuss the text, illustrations and meaning of a great book. Many StoryWalk books have a theme: kindness, anyone can make a difference in someone’s life, a love for nature, accepting differences, and more.
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StoryWalk® provides a wonderful avenue for outreach and collaboration. StoryWalk is a tool to bring the library out to the community with the goal of increasing visibility of the library. Some people may experience StoryWalk at a school or park and never walk into the library. StoryWalk may be the gateway for people to come to the library.
This StoryWalk® was funded partially by a grant through the Ottawa County Park District and by the Georgiana Huizenga Memorial Fund.
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Georgiana Huizenga was the former Director of the Harris-Elmore Public & Genoa Branch Libraries (1990-2011) and dreamed for both communities to one day have a StoryWalk® for children to learn during play.
Sponsor a Story
For a donation of $50, patrons can sponsor the StoryWalk® for a month! The patron can choose the story of the month from a provided list, or may suggest a title for the library* . Sponsors will have a dedication placed on the first display along with the book cover. Accepted payments will include cash or check. Sponsors must pay 2-3 months before their month arrives.
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Contact Harris-Elmore Public Library at 419-862-2482 or Genoa Branch Library at 419-855-3380 for more information.
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Community members, businesses, or organizations wishing to make a donation towards StoryWalk® may send a check to the Harris-Elmore Public Library (P.O. Box 45 Elmore, OH 43416). Checks should be made out to “Harris-Elmore Public Library.”
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*Book must be approved first by the library; Content must be family-friendly and have a maximum of 28 pages in length
