The StoryWalk®  Project
Frequently Asked Questions

What is required of me if I would like to offer StoryWalk® in my community?

What are the costs involved?
What basics should I know about preparing the books?
What about copyright laws?
How do you select a book for The StoryWalk® Project?
What are some of the books that have worked well?
How far apart did you space the pages?
How can you tell how many people have seen the StoryWalk®?
How did you set up a guest/comment book to be protected against the elements?
What suggestions do you have for someone interested in creating The StoryWalk® Project in his or her town?
If I have any other questions, how can I reach you?

What is required of me if I would like to offer StoryWalk® in my community?

Please use the name StoryWalk® and include the following statement in all promotion of the project: The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library.

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What are the costs involved?

For Vermont communities who would like to borrow StoryWalk® books from us, the cost is free! If you want to create StoryWalk® books yourself, here are the costs: We purchase 3 copies of each book (2 for mounting, one for damage repair/replacement); books cost between $7 and $17 each so that can range from $25 to $50. Lamination costs about $1per page for 5 ml- a range of $25 to $40, for 10 ml – a range of $40 - $80 for each book depending on its length. Stakes (good ones that don't splinter, aren't heavy, won't break easily) cost close to $1 each - most books need about 30. Sticky backed industrial strength Velcro to hold the books onto the stakes cost about $15 that will accommodate a 30 page book. Not including tape and staples (if not using Velcro), and labor (which is the most costly) to assemble and mount the books, costs run about $100 - $150 per book.

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What basics should I know about preparing the books?

In general, we use 10 ml lamination sheets, reinforce the staple path with fiber tape, (or use Velcro) and use four foot mahogany stakes, (they are stronger and lighter than pine). Each page is mounted on card stock; we put the page number and contact info on the back of each page. We have the lamination done by a copy center.

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What about copyright laws?

We contacted the head of the Children's Library Services for the State of Vermont - Grace Greene - who told us that if we purchased the book, we could do what we wanted with it. The books can not be altered in any way, the pages can not be scanned or reproduced, only mount them on card stock and laminate each individual page. We make a point of purchasing new books, not taking donations or buying used books so that the writers and illustrators get full benefit. We buy all our supplies (books, stakes, laminate, etc.) from local businesses.

As it turns out, comments from parents in the guest book have indicated that often they plan to purchase the book that they have seen at the StoryWalk® Project. The Kellogg-Hubbard Library also buys a copy of the books that we use if they do not already have them in their collection.

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How do you select a book for The StoryWalk® Project?

Selection of books focuses on minimal text, finding illustrations that don't cross the center of the book, and a great story line. Smaller books work best for this project. We look for books that can be used in different seasons. Always, it is a great story line that is the key to this project – we also consistently look for books with a message of kindness and caring.

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What are some of the books that have worked well?

The StoryWalk® Project – Books 2009

“Gossie” (with French translation) by Olivia Dunrea

The story of a young goose and her bright red boots $9.95

“If You Give a Pig a Pancake” by Laura Numeroff

A girl trying frantically to please a visiting little pig $15.99

“The Dot” by Peter Reynolds

A girl learns through art that she has gifts to share $14.00

“Leaves” by David Ezra Stein

The first autumn for a young bear $15.99

“Olivia” – window display only by Ian Falconer

A girl pig with a theatrical calling $12.95

“A Hat for Minerva Louise” (with Spanish translation) by Janet Stoeke

A hen trying to find a hat to keep her warm $5.99

“Whoever You Are” by Mem Fox

A celebration of diversity $6.95

“Sheep Take a Hike” by Nancy Shaw

How a group of sheep finds their way home $5.99

“Rail Trail Alphabet Adventures” by Carolyn Siccama

Alphabet book with a nature theme and sign language $15.99

“South” by Patrick McDonnell

A cartoon book about helping a bird friend connect with his flock $14.99

"Over in The Meadow” Illustrations by Ezra Jack Keats

A traditional poem about the creatures in a meadow $6.99

“Corduroy” by Dan Freeman

Classic story of a young teddy bear $6.99

“I Took My Frog to the Library” by Eric Kimmel

Bringing a variety of animal friends to the library $5.99

“A House for Hermit Crab” by Eric Carle

Story of a hermit crab and life in the ocean $7.99

“Tracks in the Snow” by Wong Herbert Yee

A winter walk in the forest $6.99

How far apart did you space the pages?

That depends on the length of the route available, the number of forks or intersections it has and the number of pages in the book. Make sure that the readers know where to find the following page, it is best if the next page can be seen. About 40 paces or so seems like a good distance between pages. We have found that a half-mile total distance works well for small children.

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How can you tell how many people have seen the StoryWalk®?

We place a guest book at the end of the StoryWalk™ and ask readers to tell us the date, number in party, and any comments or suggestions that they have for the project.

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How did you set up a guest/comment book to be protected against the elements?

We have placed a loose-leaf binder in a weatherproof box along with pencils (pens freeze and won’t write on damp paper). The boxes are ones developed for real estate information with lids that can be mounted or attached to stakes.

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What suggestions do you have for someone interested in creating The StoryWalk® Project in his or her town?

Start by finding some other like-minded people to work with on this project. We work well as a team and offer different perspectives and experiences. This project combines the benefits of physical activity, time outdoors in nature, literacy, and family time. Because of that, many community partners are interested in it and it lends itself well to funding from different sources. Try to involve other members of the community in the project in different ways; it lends itself to creative adaptations. Our senior center group translated a book into French for us. We have had the high school Spanish class translate one for us as well. A children’s nature center was inspired to write and illustrate their own books.

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If I have any other questions, how can I reach you?
Anne Ferguson This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Nancy Schulz
Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition
PO Box 1234
Montpelier, VT 05601
(802) 225-8904
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Rachel Senechal
Kellogg-Hubbard Library
135 Main St.
Montpelier, VT 05602
(802) 223-3338
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