Berks County Public Libraries and Berks Nature reveal bilingual StoryWalk

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Berks Nature, The Nature Place, unveiled Berks County’s latest StoryWalk on Aug. 1.

The grand reveal event recognized the partnership between Berks County public libraries and Berks Nature and celebrated the addition of another bilingual StoryWalk in the county.

Prior to the reveal, Stephanie Williams, interim administrator for Berks County Public Libraries, welcomed guests at The Rookery rooftop deck as she and Berks Nature President Kimberly Murphy offered remarks.

Stephanie Williams, interim administrator and outreach services coordinator for Berks County Public Libraries,stands beside the first page of the StoryWalk at Berks Nature. (Photo courtesy of Berks County Public Libraries)

Among those present were Pennsylvania Deputy Secretary of Education Susan Banks and Heather Sharpe, director of the Bureau of Library Development, Office of Commonwealth Libraries.

Williams noted that while StoryWalks have been used around the nation since their creation in 2007 by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vt., these storybook displays only debuted in Berks County beginning in 2020.

Today, eight permanent and seasonal library StoryWalks reside within the county, with recent additions added to the Muhlenberg Rail Trail and now Berks Nature.

Berks Nature preschoolers pose with Berks Nature staff members at the first StoryWalk page. Preschoolersfrom left to right: Colby O'Neill, Janessa Hatt, Kendra Haymaker, Maggie Makowski, Carter Angstadt, and Cameron Tonsil. Berks Nature staff from left to right: Joan Marten, Preschool Lead Teacher; Kimberly Murphy, President; Allison Mackley, Vice President for Education. (Photo courtesy of Berks County Public Libraries) — Berks Nature preschoolers pose with Berks Nature staff members at the first StoryWalk page. Preschoolersfrom left to right: Colby O’Neill, Janessa Hatt, Kendra Haymaker, Maggie Makowski, Carter Angstadt,and Cameron Tonsil. Berks Nature staff from left to right: Joan Marten, Preschool Lead Teacher;Kimberly Murphy, President; Allison Mackley, Vice President for Education. (Photo courtesy of Berks County Public Libraries)

Guests were asked to walk down the path to the first sign post, where six excited children from the Berks Nature preschool waited to assist with the unveiling of the StoryWalk. On the count of three, the children pulled the covering from the sign post, revealing the cover page of the story.

Following the official unveiling, event officials invited guests to walk the trail and read “The Last Tree” by María Quintana Silva (author) and Silvia Álvarez (illustrator), with translation by Jon Brokenbrow.

“We’re excited to finally reveal the product of this successful partnership,” Williams said. “Our hope is that individuals and families who visit the beautiful grounds of the Nature Place will enjoy the stories presented at the StoryWalk. As the seasons change, visitors can come back and read new stories, as the StoryWalk will be updated quarterly.”

Berks Nature staff offered tours along the StoryWalk path as children darted from post to post, reading the story pages while burning off some excess energy.

The StoryWalk begins by the parking lot leading to The Nature Place and ends alongside the Teaching Garden. (Photo courtesy of Berks County Public Libraries)

Just as other StoryWalks in Berks County and across the country aim to accomplish, the StoryWalk at Berks Nature blends physical activity with the joy of reading and love of the outdoors.

The StoryWalk will remain open to visitors from dawn to dusk to enjoy at their leisure in the park. Visitors are encouraged to plan their visit when The Nature Place is open, Tuesday–Saturday. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., to enjoy the offerings of the free public nature center. The Nature Place at Angelica Park is located at 575 St. Bernardine St., Reading.

Additional information about library StoryWalks in Berks County is available at www.berkslibraries.org/storywalks.

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