Read a children’s book while you enjoy a nature walk at several Wake County Park locations. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.
Visit all our StoryWalks®!
Crowder County Park
Stop by the park and visit our monthly StoryWalk®! This wonderful program combines the joy of reading a story while also getting out and enjoying nature.
The walk can be found along Outer Loop Trail beginning at Front Office.
September StoryWalk®: Spanish is my Superpower
From September 2–30, visit Crowder's new StoryWalk®, "Spanish is my Superpower," by Jennifer Jones.
Spanish is My Superpower takes an empathetic approach to being bilingual and teaches children how amazing and unique it is to be able to speak more than one language. Told from children's perspective, this story provides parents, teachers and counselors with an entertaining way to teach children the value of speaking Spanish and being bilingual.
"I used to be afraid that speaking Spanish
Made me different and stand out.
But I’ve learned to be proud of my heritage
Because it’s what I’m all about!"
October StoryWalk®: Something Happened to Our Planet!
From October 2–31, visit Crowder's new StoryWalk®, "Something Happened to Our Planet!," written by Marianne Celano and illustrated by Bhagya Madanasinghe.
Join the Earth Patrol! Written to help parents begin conversations with their children about a challenging and important topic, Something Happened to Our Planet describes the narrator’s efforts to help the planet with her friends, by advocating for re-usable plates at her school.
Harris Lake County Park
This September, visit a brand new StoryWalk® at Harris Lake County Park!
This month's walk will follow the paved trail through the Day Use area beginning at the traditional playground.
September StoryWalk®: Diary of a Spider
From September 7–30, visit Harris Lake's new StoryWalk®, "Diary of a Spider," written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Harry Bliss.
Spider is a bit like us – he goes to school and enjoys the playground, but he also builds webs on the water fountain and his best friend is a fly. Through his daily diary entries, spider discovers that there is actually a lot to learn about being a spider, including how to avoid vacuum cleaners.
October StoryWalk®: Hector the Misunderstood Snake
From October 5–31, for the Harris Spook-tacular: Don't Feed Your Fears special monthlong celebration, we hope you will enjoy "Hector the Misunderstood Snake," written by Kimberly K. Schmidt and illustrated by Marina Saumell.
Young Hector is a rat snake who lives at Grayson Farm. Hector realizes that most of the other animals are afraid of him simply because he is a snake. One day, Hector bravely protects the farm animals, finally earning their friendship and teaching them not to judge others just because they are different. This story demonstrates the importance of being yourself and highlights just one of the ways snakes are valuable to the ecosystem – all good lessons for humans!
Historic Oak View County Park
Take a StoryWalk® at Oak View! A StoryWalk® is a children’s book that is presented, page by page, along a trail or path. It combines the pleasures of reading a children's book while enjoying nature.
September StoryWalk®: My Two Border Towns
From September 1–30, Oak View's brick walkways will feature the children's book "My Two Border Town," written by David Bowles and illustrated by Erika Meza.
Early one Saturday morning, a boy prepares for a trip to The Other Side/El Otro Lado. It's close – just down the street from his school – and it's a twin of where he lives. To get there, his father drives their truck along the Rio Grande and over a bridge, where they're greeted by a giant statue of an eagle. Their outings always include a meal at their favorite restaurant, a visit with Tío Mateo at his jewelry store, a cold treat from the paletero, and a pharmacy pickup. On their final and most important stop, they check in with friends seeking asylum and drop off much-needed supplies.
StoryWalk® de septiembre: Mis dos pueblos fronterizos
Del 1 al 30 de septiembre, las pasarelas de ladrillo de Oak View contarán con el libro infantil "Mis dos pueblos fronterizos," escrito por David Bowles e ilustrado por Erika Meza.
Un sábado por la mañana, un niño se prepara para un viaje al Otro Lado / the Other Side. Está cerca, solo bajando la calle y pasando su escuela, el pueblo gemelo de la comunidad donde vive. Su padre maneja su camioneta sobre un puente para cruzar el Río Grande y llegar a México, donde son recibidos por la estatua gigante de un águila. Sus visitas siempre incluyen almuerzo en su restaurante favorito, una plática en la joyería del tío Mateo, una paleta bien fría, y una vuelta a la farmacia. En su parada final y más importante, pasan tiempo con amigos que buscan asilo y les entregan los suministros que tanto necesitan.
October StoryWalk®: Grumpy Monkey
From October 1–31, Oak View's brick walkways will feature the children's book "Grumpy Monkey," written by Suzanne Lang and illustrated by Max Lang.
Readers will follow along with Jim the Chimpanzee's grumpy day, learning along with Jim Panzee that it's OK to have big feelings.
StoryWalk® Social Narrative
StoryWalk® at Oak View is free, requires no advance registration, and is open during the park's normal hours of operation. Check out our StoryWalk® Social Narrative, to download and print before going to the park.
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.
Historic Yates Mill County Park
Historic Yates Mill County Park is excited to offer a new StoryWalk®, an interactive outdoor activity for you and your family.
Join us for this fun, self-guided activity, pages starting at the parking lot kiosk near the Visitor Center.
September StoryWalk®: Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn
From September 4–30, visit the brand new Yates Mill StoryWalk®, "Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn," written and illustrated by Kenard Pak.
As trees sway in the cool breeze, blue jays head south, and leaves change their colors, everyone knows—autumn is on its way! Join a young girl as she takes a walk through forest and town, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with every flower and creature and gust of wind, she says good-bye to summer and welcomes autumn.
October StoryWalk®: Leaf Jumpers
From October 3–31, visit the brand new Yates Mill StoryWalk®, "Leaf Jumpers," written by Carole Gerber and illustrated by Leslie Evans.
This vibrant book celebrates the beauty of autumn while inviting us all to go ahead and jump in that big, colorful, pile of fall leaves. The poetic text gives simple facts about different types of fall leaves making it easy for readers to identify leaves ranging from red maple to sycamore by color, shape, and other characteristics.
Lake Crabtree County Park
Join us at Lake Crabtree this month for a brand new StoryWalk®!
This self-guided StoryWalk® can be found along the paved trails starting at the playground near Beech Shelter.
October StoryWalk®: Fletcher and the Falling Leaves
From October 1–31, visit Lake Crabtree's new StoryWalk®, "Fletcher and the Falling Leaves," written by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke.
Join Fletcher the fox as he discovers the beauty of autumn’s changes. Along the StoryWalk, kids can pick up their own leaves to interact with the story, making it a fun, hands-on adventure for families!
Robertson Millpond Preserve
Join us at Robertson Millpond this month for a brand new StoryWalk®!
This self-guided StoryWalk® can be found around the paved loop.
October StoryWalk®: Who Needs A Swamp?
From October 1–31, visit Robertson Millpond's new StoryWalk®, "Who Needs a Swamp?," by Karen Patkau.
Swamps are often seen as a dangerous and useless. They are often drained to create farmland or to reduce diseases. But such measures can be disastrous. Who Needs a Swamp? explores wetlands and their importance in the food chain and in preserving our soil and clean water.