I have been more quiet than ever these days, but I have reasons; the biggest one being, I HAVE A STORYWALK!!
Prepping frames in my library workroom.
The short story: What’s a StoryWalk? Glad you asked! A StoryWalk is a great way to get families reading together while also getting some physical outdoor activity. Most use picture books, displayed spread by spread, along a route or path, with activity and discussion prompts as you walk. If you’d like more information about StoryWalks, visit https://letsmovelibraries.org/storywalk/; Book Riot also has a good article here https://bookriot.com/making-a-storywalk/.
In 2020, two of my library besties and I were missing our library communities and were thinking of ways we could reconnect with them outside of a computer screen. We’d been through a StoryWalk training webinar and thought about it being the perfect way to bring the library experience back, albeit out in the open, using public spaces like parks and school yards. Unfortunately, there was the funding issue, so we tabled the idea until we got back into our branches, and collaborated on a grant. And we won! So, coming soon, in my Queens community of Corona; my friend Sarah’s community of Arverne, and my friend Ashley’s community in Bayside, we’ll be launching our StoryWalks. (We were supposed to launch yesterday, but Canada had other plans, sooo…)
My first StoryWalk will be Yamile Saied Méndez and Jaime Kim’s book, ¿De Donde Eres? (Where Are You From?) I went with a Spanish-language book for my first StoryWalk to honor my library community. The story of a girl being asked where she’s really from is relatable, and I love the answer her grandfather gives her when she asks him where she is from. Jaime Kim’s illustration work is warm and creates breathtaking images of history, lands, and culture.
I don’t want to give too much away until my book launch, but here’s a sneak preview:
More on the StoryWalk as we get ready to launch! If you’ve ever done a StoryWalk, I’d love tips and feedback.
Mom Read It 