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®!
Blue Jay Point County Park
In conjunction with Songbird Celebration, visit Blue Jay Point's new StoryWalk®!
Find the StoryWalk® along the Sparkleberry Loop Trail. This path is short, mulched, and has some terrain variation. Enjoy the StoryWalk® daily, weather dependent.
April/May StoryWalk®: The Garden Next Door
From April 27-May 12, visit Blue Jay Point's new StoryWalk®, "The Garden Next Door," written by Collin Pine and illustrated by Tiffany Everett.
Three young children watch as birds, bees, and butterflies zoom past them, over their fence, and into their neighbor's mysterious yard. But why are there no birds or bugs in their yard? Why does the neighbor's yard glow with fireflies at night, while their yard is dark? Well, the kids are determined to find out, and maybe make some changes to bring a little nature to their backyard.
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.
This month's walk can be found outside the park office.
April StoryWalk®: Gracie's Ears
From April 2–30, visit Crowder's new StoryWalk®, "Gracie's Ears," written and illustrated by Debbie Blackington.
This is the story of Gracie, your everyday fun-loving kid who does everything that you do, but has trouble hearing. It's as if her ears are sleeping! Can anyone or anything wake up Gracie's ears?
May StoryWalk®: Mina's Scavenger Hunt
From May 2–31, visit Crowder's new StoryWalk®, "Mina's Scavenger Hunt," written by Katrina Liu and illustrated by Rosalia Destarisa.
With a list on one hand and her puppy, Musubi, by her side, Mina plays an exciting game of scavenger hunt! They have lots of fun using clues to discover and collect treasures! Your child will love this adorable story while learning everyday dialog and common adjectives in Chinese.
Harris Lake County Park
Visit a brand new StoryWalk® at Harris Lake County Park!
April's StoryWalk® can be found on the paved trail around the Educational Garden and Natural Play Area.
May's StoryWalk® will follow the paved trail through the Day Use area beginning at the traditional playground.
April StoryWalk®: My Wish for the World
From April 6–28, visit the brand new Harris Lake StoryWalk®, "My Wish for the World," written and illustrated by Kristine A. Lombardi.
In My Wish for the World, a child asks, “What’s your wish, Mama?” In this uplifting book written and illustrated by Kristine A. Lombardi, a mother shares her many wishes for the world. The book is a loving reminder that our wishes, when put into action, can improve our world.
May StoryWalk®: Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa
From May 4-21, visit the brand new Harris Lake StoryWalk®, "Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa," written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter.
Our 2024 Longleaf Celebration continues with this amazing true story of Wangari Maathai, who led a community movement in her homeland of Kenya that started a tree planting across the continent of Africa!
StoryWalk® panels will be placed near some of our special trees at the park, with information about what makes them unique.
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.
April StoryWalk®: A Day With No Words
From April 1–30, Oak View's brick walkways will feature the children's book, "A Day With No Words," written by Tiffany Hammond and illustrated by Kate Cosgrove.
A Day With No Words is a colorful and engaging picture book for young readers shares what life can look like for families who use nonverbal communication, utilizing tools to embrace their unique method of "speaking." The story highlights the bond between mother and child and follows them on a day where they use a tablet to communicate with others.
May StoryWalk®: Watercress
From May 1–31, Oak View's brick walkways will feature the children's book, "Watercress," written by Andrea Wang and illustrated by Jason Chin.
A story about the power of sharing memories—including the painful ones—and the way our heritage stays with and shapes us, even when we don’t see it.
While driving through Ohio in an old Pontiac, a young girl's Chinese immigrant parents spot watercress growing wild in a ditch by the side of the road. They stop the car, grabbing rusty scissors and an old paper bag, and the whole family wades into the mud to gather as much as they can.
At first, she's embarrassed. Why can't her family just get food from the grocery store, like everyone else? But when her mother shares a bittersweet story of her family history in China, the girl learns to appreciate the fresh food they foraged—and the memories left behind in pursuit of a new life.
Together, they make a new memory of watercress.
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.
April StoryWalk®: Rabbits and Raindrops
From April 2–30, visit the brand new Yates Mill StoryWalk®, "Rabbits and Raindrops," written and illustrated by Jim Arnosky.
It's the first day outside the nest for Mother rabbit's five babies, and all sorts of new creatures and adventures await them. But when a sudden rain shower sends the rabbits scurrying for shelter under the hedge, the other wild animals come to visit them!
May StoryWalk®: The Honeybee
From May 3–30, visit the brand new Yates Mill StoryWalk®, "The Honeybee," written by Kirsten Hall and illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault.
Buzz from flower to flower with a sweet honeybee in this timely, clever, and breathtakingly gorgeous picture book from critically acclaimed author Kirsten Hall and award-winning illustrator Isabelle Arsenault.
Lake Crabtree County Park
This month, visit a brand new StoryWalk® at Lake Crabtree County Park!
This self-guided StoryWalk® can be found along the 0.6 mile Old Beech Nature Trail loop, accessed from the first parking lot on the right after you enter the park.
April StoryWalk®: My Brain is Magic
From April 1–30, visit the brand new Lake Crabtree StoryWalk®, "My Brain is Magic," written by Prasha Sooful and illustrated by Geeta Ladi.
Our brains are magic! They help us learn and grow, keep us safe, and let us have fun. Each brain is unique and beautiful. This month, at Lake Crabtree's StoryWalk, explore the inner workings of a young girl with a sensory-seeking brain. Read and relate through our Autism Awareness month story, My Brain is Magic: a Sensory-Seeking Celebration. Her brain buzzes like a bee, roars like a lion, and slows like a sloth. What kinds of things can your brain do?
Robertson Millpond Preserve
This month, visit a brand new StoryWalk® at Robertson Millpond Preserve! The walk is located along the paved loop at the preserve.
April StoryWalk®: Your Legacy
From April 1–30, visit the brand new Robertson Millpond StoryWalk®, "Your Legacy," written by Schele Williams and illustrated by Tonya Engel.
Your Legacy is a proud, empowering picture book introduction to African American history that celebrates and honors enslaved ancestors.