(This article is a press release from the Baxter County Library.)
Mountain Home, AR. – The Baxter County Library, in partnership with Arkansas State University – Mountain Home, is excited to announce the installation of a StoryWalk along the ASUMH walking trail.
The StoryWalk is a wonderful way for adults and their young children or grandchildren to combine literacy skills and healthy exercise as they walk roughly 1,600ft to each of the 16 reading stations. Each station contains the pages of a children’s book. Visitors can read the story aloud to their child while walking along enjoying the beauty of the ASUMH campus. The Library will feature a new children’s story approximately every three months.
According to Baxter County Library Director Kim Crow Sheaner, “Reading aloud to pre-school aged children is the single, most important thing you can do to get them ready to start to learn to read. The StoryWalk project aligns with our Baxter County Early Literacy Project mission, which is to equip all Baxter County children with the early literacy skills they need to be prepared to enter kindergarten,” Crow Sheaner said.
When asked about the project, outgoing ASUMH Chancellor Robin Meyers shared, “I am excited about this great addition to the trail and the partnership with the Baxter County Library! This “book walk” will enhance the experience for the children and their parents as they experience the trail.”
The first StoryWalk story features the children’s book “A Way with Wild Things” by author Larissa Theule and illustrator Sara Palacios. This is a picture book about finding confidence in the things that bring you joy. Poppy Ann Fields is a bold nature lover with a particular fondness for bugs. But when she is around people, Poppy grows shy and hides within her environment, taking cover in patterns, paintings, plants, and drapes. Baxter County Library Youth Services Librarian Amy Johnson described this StoryWalk experience, “The story is enhanced with little activities to do with your child that really bring the story to life, such as counting the number of bugs on the page, listening for sounds of bugs, or marching like an ant.”
Check out the Baxter County Library’s event calendar at www.BaxLib.org/Events or the Library’s program guide for StoryWalk specific programming that is sure to be fun for the entire family. The StoryWalk is a free activity for all that is accessible during normal trail hours. The story begins at the ASUMH trailhead, which is located next to McClain Hall. Parking is available in the first lot to the right after entering through the Hurd Gate from Hwy 62/412. Bring your walking shoes, your reading glasses, and enjoy the StoryWalk!
If you or someone you know is interested in sponsoring the StoryWalk program, please contact the Library Foundation Coordinator, Adeana Estoll, at foundation@baxlib.org.
This project is a collaboration between the Baxter County Library and Arkansas State University Mountain Home. Funds for the StoryWalk stations were provided by the Baxter County Library with American Rescue Plan Act funding received from the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Arkansas State Library. 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.
