Great Start Story Walk

L to R: GADL Staff Stephanie Inglehart, Jessica Hunt, Great Start Staff Sara Loss, Christina Yuhasz, Karen Clark

VanFossen Family: Savannah, Tristan & Oliander “We think that the Story Walk is a great idea to help active kids focus on reading. They can walk and read the story at the same time. We plan to come back as a family to see the new stories when they come.”

On Monday, November 25th, the Newaygo County Great Start Collaborative (GSC) dedicated its first permanent Story Walk at the Grant Area District Library.  Despite the cold and rainy weather, several families, staff and Great Start Collaborative partners gathered to celebrate the first of many stories to be featured at this location.

“A Story Walk is a way to combine physical activity with literacy. It is an innovative way to get people of all ages out walking while reading children’s books. Pages of a book are transformed into signs that are then displayed out on a walking path guiding children and families through an interactive and engaging reading experience set against a natural backdrop. The goal of the project is to help build children’s interest in reading while encouraging healthy outdoor activity for both adults and children,” states Great Start Coordinator, Karen Clark

The Story Walk project is one of the strategies of the Great Start Collaborative’s work plan and commitment to promoting literacy, family engagement, and physical activity for local families with children birth to age eight.   Members of the GSC’s early literacy committee, including former GADL children’s librarian Shelly Patterson, were integral in the planning of this project.  There were 18 viewing displays purchased to showcase stories throughout the year.  They are made of recycled rubber, weather resistant, and made to last many years.  All the displays are angled and placed low to the ground for easy viewing for children of all ages. 

GADL’s new children’s librarian, as of November, Stephanie Inglehart, is excited about her role at the library and the addition of the Story Walk. “We at GADL are all very excited for this opportunity to bring a Story Walk installation to our community.  Families are encouraged to stop by and explore the installation while reading a story together.  Stories will be changed periodically so stop in and see what’s new.  Families are reminded to regularly check the GADL website, www.grantlibrary.net, for updated information regarding both the Story Walk and programming and events at the library.”

Jessica Hunt, GADL Director - “We would like to thank the Great Start Collaborative for purchasing these quality displays that will last many years, and to Artisan Building and Design for volunteering their time to install the displays free of charge.”  

Monday’s event featured the book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen.  Attendees walked the property grounds of the Grant Area District Library and were visited by a friendly bear along the way. They also received free copies of the book, as well as enjoyed cookies and hot cocoa.  

The GSC also has several temporary Story Walk books that can be set up for a day or two at locations, such as preschools, childcare centers, libraries, parks, and/or events.  They are installed using metal yard sign frames.  Recently, the GSC provided Story Walks to NCRESA’s Building Bridges preschools for family literacy nights and the Great Start Halloween Walk. 

“This project will have a big impact on the community.  It is promoting literacy, physical activity, and family engagement.” Phil Green, Senior Program Officer, TrueNorth Community Services.

“If our GSC continues to receive literacy funds through the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP), our plan is to purchase at least one permanent Story Walk per year to be placed in great walking locations throughout the county,” states Clark. “We are currently looking into new locations and enthusiastic partners in this project.”   

If you are that enthusiastic partner or are interested in learning more about other early literacy initiatives, such as Talking is Teaching and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, please reach out to Karen Clark at 231-652-3604 or [email protected].  If you are interested in learning about more family friendly literacy activities and events, follow the Newaygo County Great Start Family Coalition Facebook page. 

The Story Walk is a project of the Newaygo County Great Start Collaborative, overseen by NCRESA.  Funding was provided by a grant through the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential. 

Additional Info.
The Benefits of a Story Walk
Story Walk provides early literacy opportunities to young children. Sharing the reading of a Story Walk book stimulates and fosters the development of strong listening and speaking skills. Story Walk 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.
Story Walk 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 Story Walk books have a theme: kindness, anyone can make a difference in someone’s life, a love for nature, accepting differences, and more.
Story Walk provides a wonderful avenue for outreach and collaboration. Story Walk is a tool to bring the library out to the community with the goal of increasing visibility of the library. Some people may experience Story Walk at a school or park and never walk into the library. Story Walk may be the gateway for people to come to the library.

​

Families enjoyed snacks, crafts, and storytime before heading outside to the Story Walk.

GADL Children’s Librarian, Stephanie Inglehart read the story We’re Going on a Bear Hunt to families.

While Great Start Trusted Advisor, Sara Loss helped act out the story (playing the part of the bear).

Children reading their personal copies of the story as they walk along the Story Walk.