Johnson County Public Library is giving residents more reasons to enjoy the fall weather this month — and some help getting their kids reading in the process.
The library’s newest StoryWalk — a walking path with pages of children’s books posted around the route — is set to premier Oct. 29 with a special Halloween-themed event at Independence Park in the Center Grove area.
Families can dress up in costume, go trick-or-treating around the trail and enjoy other outdoor activities.
The book on the trail will be “Count Down to Fall,” by Fran Hawk.
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Click here to purchase photos from this galleryThis will be the county’s second StoryWalk. The first opened in June in Franklin in a path through the Franklin Urban Forest, an area planted with trees that had been damaged in the 2008 flood. Plans for a third StoryWalk in the county are in the works.
The combination of movement and reading is a powerful combination for young readers, said Chris Kolderup, children’s services manager at the White River branch of the Johnson County Public Library.
“It definitely gets books out of the library and allows families to interact with books. Kids learn more when they’re moving,” she said. “They’re able to take in more when someone they care about is interacting with them and they’re moving around.”
A new story will premier on the Franklin StoryWalk later this month at a special event as well. The new book is “Creepy Carrots,” by Aaron Reynolds.
At that event, families can also wear costumes, listen to some not-so-scary stories and bring a flashlight to walk the trail.
The new StoryWalk at Independence Park is the result of the combined vision of the Friends of the White River Library and the Greenwood Rotary club, which applied for a grant for the walk, and oversees the building of the book signs.
A free Little Library — a stand with books anyone can “check out” or add to — will be permanently in place at the park as well, Kolderup said.
The county library’s next StoryWalk will premier in early 2017 in Trafalgar.
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BooWalk’ StoryWalk grand opening celebration
When: A ribbon-cutting will take place at 2 p.m. Oct. 29 to officially open the new walk
Where: Independence Park, 2100 S. Morgantown Road, Greenwood
New story and family event at Franklin StoryWalk
When: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28
Where: Franklin urban forest
Families are invited to wear costumes to both events
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