Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
TAKING A ‘ STORY WALK’
Project allows participants to read and stroll through the borough
WEST CHESTER » Kids have a new way to limit screen time during the ongoing pandemic.
Families now have a chance to safely get outside, read a story together and stroll through the borough.
Enlarged pages from the children’s book, “Cat’s Colors,” by Airlie Anderson, are posted in the windows of 14 downtown businesses. In addition to the book text and illustrations, fun suggestions for activities are also included.
Instead of holding a book in their hands, children read page- by- page from store windows. An easy to read map is
available at the library and online at the library’s website at www. wcpubliclibrary. org.
The mile- long, 45- minute walk, starts at the West Chester Public Library, 415 N. Church St., and is sponsored by the library and the Business Improvement District. On Sunday, Mayor Dianne Herrin led a “Story Walk” or “Walk with the Mayor.”
“It gets kids involved with something to do outdoors that involves literacy and reading a map,” Victoria Dow, library director said.
Parent Jen Anderson attended the Sunday walk with her son Ryan. The Exton Elementary School third grader discovered that he likes to read while walking.
“It’s cool to do something, something to do,” Jen Anderson said.
Herrin took turns with Ryan on the tour reading the story.
“The Mayor’s Office is so pleased to partner with our fantastic, local West Chester Public Library on the story walk project,” Herrin said. “What could be better than combining an outdoor, fresh- air experience with the opportunity to read and learn with the family?
“Just navigating the story walk map is a great learning experience for the children, in and of itself. This is just one more reason to be proud of our community and the great things we continue to do to support each other.”
Herrin is running for the 156th District state House of Representatives seat as a Democrat and is opposed on the ballot by Republican Len Iacono.
Claudia Farrelly, 19, took the walk with her family.
“It was great to get outside and safely spend time with my family and our friends before it gets too cold outside,” she said.
Aidan McGuire, 13, is a student at Peirce Middle School.
“It was fun to get out and read a book on a nice day with friends. I hope they do it again soon,” Aidan said.
Susan Farrelly, is a mom and teacher.
“This was a fun time for the whole family no matter the age,” Farrelly said. “It was a purposeful walk around town, using map skills, reading skills, and ending it with a yummy gelato treat!”
“We hope the library and borough make this a reoccurring event... a great excuse for a walk around our beautiful town!”
Fern Hill Elementary School student, Cat Farrelly, 9, enjoyed the final pages and the concluding location.
“My favorite part of the book was stop number 14! That was the best part of the story!” Cat said.
Alice Farrelly, 15, and attends Henderson High School and TCHS.
“It was great,” Alice said. “Very cool!”
Marie McGuire, mom, enjoyed the walk.
“It is a fun experience for kids of all ages and intellectual abilities,” she said. “The library afforded us a great opportunity to get back into the borough after time away due to the pandemic to get reacquainted with all our favorite shops and businesses.”
Jake McGuire, 10, a student at Fern Hill Elementary said, “It was fun and I hope they have another one ready for the holiday season.”
Aidan McGuire, 13, is a student at Peirce Middle School.
“It was fun to get out and read a book on a nice day with friends. I hope they do it again soon,” Aidan said.
Meg Diskin, the library’s Early Literacy Specialist, said the library wanted to find a way to engage families and children with reading during the pandemic.
“The Story Walk is perfect because it gets families outside for some exercise, while they are reading, talking and having fun together,” Diskin said. “We’ve had suchapositive response to the Story Walk idea that the library is hoping to be able to repeat this event in the future and possibly tie our story theme into some of downtown West Chester’s special events.”
Although Story Walks are often held in parks or along nature trails, Diskin thought attracting families to downtown West Chester would also help support locallyowned businesses in the community. West Chester Business Improvement District Executive Director John O’Brien agreed, and the BID joined in as the project’s sponsor.
As an added incentive to completing the walk, the final page of “Cat’s Colors” is posted in the window of Gemelli Gelato and Dessert Cafe, just in case you want to indulge in a sweet treat at the finish line. The last page also provides a link to download some fun printable activities related to the book.
“The Story Walk gives families yet another reason to visit West Chester and see the many familyfriendly restaurants and shops throughout our downtown that need our support in these tough times” O’Brien said.
The Story Walk is for all ages, and will be most enjoyed by families who can read the story aloud to their toddlers and preschoolers, as well as by early elementaryage children who can read the story themselves.
The route is about amilelong round trip, and takes about 45 minutes to complete.
The Story Walk Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg- Hubbard Library. Story Walk is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.
West Chester’s Story Walk will continue through Halloween on Oct. 31. The starting point andmaps are located at theWest Chester Public Library. For more information, contact the library at 610- 696- 7985 or mdiskin@ ccls. org.
The West Chester Public Library is now open and will have the following open hours starting Oct. 5 MondayThursday from 10 a. m. to 7 p. m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m.
The library staff has been busy presenting virtual story times and trivia night programs, and STEAM activities.
“Itwas fun to get out and read a book onanice daywith friends. I hope theydo it againsoon.” — Aidan McGuire, 13, a student at Peirce Middle School