Books and Trails

When I presented at the fantabulous Bookworm Gardens in Sheboygan, WI, last fall, I was just mesmerized by all the creative and beautiful integrations of books and nature and art!

Story Trail Kids.jpg
Photo: City of Boise

So, boy, was I excited to see that WATER CAN BE… has been chosen by the Jim Halls Foothills Learning Center (in Boise, ID) as its February Story Trail book. Kate Messner’s OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW was their January title. What great company I’m in. And what a cool idea, to integrate nature and books.

My daughters’ elementary school backs up to a reserve where they go on nature walks. And many schools have natural areas and gardens and such. Wouldn’t it be cool for the school to choose one book per month that ties in to the setting somehow? And then different classes could be responsible for art, signage, perhaps hands-on activities… What a neat collaboration that could be.

Does anyone know of schools doing something like this?

 

18 Responses

  1. Congratulations Laura. I’m happy for you. Maybe soon “A Leaf Can Be” — how fitting is that?

    1. Thanks, Martha! I love reading outside, so I love the thought of my words on display outside!

  2. Congratulations Laura. I’m happy for you. Maybe soon “A Leaf Can Be” — how fitting is that?

    1. Thanks, Martha! I love reading outside, so I love the thought of my words on display outside!

  3. Yes! In my district, RSU 1 in Maine, book walks were set up in two of the elementary schools — Phippsburg Elementary and Fisher Mitchell School in Bath. I have some pictures of the book walk in Phippsburg using the book, The Secret Pool by Kimberly Ridley. At http://www.tilburyhouse.com/bookstore/secret-pool-the/ there is a preview of this book. They put QR codes on the pages to connect to students reading the pages and more information using Vocaroo. So if you bring your iPad or phone you can also listen. It is a beautiful walk with pictures and audio or text about a vernal pool, next to a vernal pool. If I can find your email along the way here, I will send you a picture or two of the book walk.

    1. So cool! I love the way they’re integrating books, nature, AND technology. That is truly awesome. I got your email before I saw this (I’ve been sick and not checking my blog) and thought, “Hmmm…why is Donna sending me this?” Hehehe. Thanks for the pic/link and info.

  4. Yes! In my district, RSU 1 in Maine, book walks were set up in two of the elementary schools — Phippsburg Elementary and Fisher Mitchell School in Bath. I have some pictures of the book walk in Phippsburg using the book, The Secret Pool by Kimberly Ridley. At http://www.tilburyhouse.com/bookstore/secret-pool-the/ there is a preview of this book. They put QR codes on the pages to connect to students reading the pages and more information using Vocaroo. So if you bring your iPad or phone you can also listen. It is a beautiful walk with pictures and audio or text about a vernal pool, next to a vernal pool. If I can find your email along the way here, I will send you a picture or two of the book walk.

    1. So cool! I love the way they’re integrating books, nature, AND technology. That is truly awesome. I got your email before I saw this (I’ve been sick and not checking my blog) and thought, “Hmmm…why is Donna sending me this?” Hehehe. Thanks for the pic/link and info.

  5. Having your book selected for display on the trail walk is awesome! Did you ever even dream of such? So happy for you and for the kids and parents who visit the gardens in February. What a wonderful changing exhibit.

    I love that Donna Smith has been involved with something similar in her area. So good to hear.

    1. Isn’t that cool? No, I never thought of such a thing. It is wonderful! And I love Donna’s shared story. Technology, too. That is really cool.

  6. Having your book selected for display on the trail walk is awesome! Did you ever even dream of such? So happy for you and for the kids and parents who visit the gardens in February. What a wonderful changing exhibit.

    I love that Donna Smith has been involved with something similar in her area. So good to hear.

    1. Isn’t that cool? No, I never thought of such a thing. It is wonderful! And I love Donna’s shared story. Technology, too. That is really cool.

  7. this is wonderful I’m wondering if I talked to the my town reps and library about trying something like this we have a pound and a Bick trail in our town this would be wonderful

    1. Go for it, Jessica! You are such a book lover–I know you’d be great at starting something like this:>)

  8. this is wonderful I’m wondering if I talked to the my town reps and library about trying something like this we have a pound and a Bick trail in our town this would be wonderful

    1. Go for it, Jessica! You are such a book lover–I know you’d be great at starting something like this:>)

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