New Storywalk at Hillcrest Park

Over the last couple of months Library and Parks staff have collaborated to create a StoryWalk® at Hillcrest Park. A StoryWalk® is a fun and educational activity that puts the pages of a children’s book around different parts of a community or park, encouraging young and old to walk around and read the entire book together!  They are a fantastic way to continue library outreach efforts and promote literacy in our community, especially during our current pandemic. StoryWalks® encourage time spent active and outdoors, inspire outdoor exploration, and foster a sense of community. They promote positive community relationships with new and current library and parks patrons and the local government. Every season there will be a new bilingual book chosen for the Hillcrest StoryWalk®, the first book will be Call Me Tree by Maya Christina Gonzalez, which was also chosen as the Skagit Kids Read book this year. It is a story of self-discovery, finding a way to grow from the inside out, just like a tree and becoming your fullest self. There will also be extension activities developed by librarians to engage families in activities related to the story and encourage readers to extend their learning beyond the book. The books and frames for the story walk were generously provided by the Friends of the Mount Vernon City Library. Head to the playground at Hillcrest Park to start your StoryWalk® today!  (Please remember to social distance and wear your mask.)