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StoryWalk expands to Toronto

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A NOT-ALL-WET IDEA — Sarita Asawa, outreach and programming coordinator for the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County, stands next to the city of Toronto’s pool where the StoryWalk will be placed Saturday and be up through Aug. 31. Families are encouraged to read the pages of the book that will be placed along the fence. “Be sure to stop by the library when you’re finished reading so kids can get a prize while supplies last,” Asawa encouraged. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE -- The Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County is expanding its StoryWalk to the Toronto community Saturday through Aug. 31.

The StoryWalk, which combines literacy with the outdoors, will be located on the fence next to the city's pool. Pages from a book are enlarged and adhered to signage with the signs placed along a path for families to read page by page together.

"I'm so excited to expand our StoryWalk program to the Toronto community," said the library's Community Outreach and Programming Coordinator Sarita Asawa. "Working with the Toronto Coalition, the Toronto Beautification Committee and the city of Toronto to pick a location was wonderful, and I think it'll be an excellent addition to all of the summer activities in the area," she said.

Once families are finished reading the StoryWalk they are encouraged to visit the Toronto Branch Library so children can pick up a prize. The book featured is "The Pout-Pout Fish" by Deborah Diesen.

Asawa initiated the library's StoryWalk project in Jefferson County at Steubenville's Beatty Park about two years ago.

"I began the StoryWalk program during the height of the pandemic in 2020," she explained. "There was an increased need for adapted programming because of the health and safety guidelines. Now each year, the program at Beatty Park runs May through October and includes permanent installation through the generosity of the PNC Foundation grant," she said, noting a new book is introduced each month.

In addition to Beatty Park, the library offers a StoryWalk on Fourth Street in Steubenville during Christmas and Easter holidays. There has been such a positive response to the Beatty Park and Fourth Street StoryWalks that the library decided to expand to Toronto, according to Asawa.

"I hope to continue the StoryWalk in Toronto next year as well," Asawa said. "We're always looking for new ways to expand our programming and serve the communities in the county. The StoryWalk is a unique way to combine literacy and physical activity."

Starting at /week.