Want a summer family adventure that combines reading, cultural exploration and the outdoors?
Until August 31, kids, families and caregivers can head to Seattle’s beautiful Magnolia neighborhood to wander five different StoryWalks® that feature a rotating selection of picture books by Indigenous authors: “Berry Song” by Michaela Goade; “Finding my Dance” by Ria Thundercloud; “Kúndlaan, the Wolf Pup with Moonlight in Her Eyes,” by Sondra Segundo; “My Powerful Hair,” by Carole Lindstrom; and “Molly of Denali” by Sovereign Bills.
Each week, the books will move to a different StoryWalk® location.
Days, times and locations for the Magnolia StoryWalks®
Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center (5011 Bernie Whitebear Way): The StoryWalk® is installed at a pond near Daybreak Star; take the gravel trail from Bernie Whitebear’s garden and look for the StoryWalk® around the pond. Available Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Discovery Park Visitor Center (3801 Discovery Park Blvd.) is hosting a StoryWalk® at the playground by the Visitor Center. Take the trail to the left, as you face the Visitor Center, and continue past the pickleball courts to the playground. Available daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Magnolia Branch of The Seattle Public Library (2801 34th Ave. W., Seattle): Look for the StoryWalk® outside the branch along the wall facing the parking lot, and follow it to the backyard. Available Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday noon to 8 p.m.
Magnolia Community Center (2550 34th Ave, W., Seattle): The StoryWalk® will be installed at the playground by the community center on Saturdays for visitors to enjoy.
Magnolia Farmers Market ( McGraw Street & 33rd Avenue W., Seattle) in Magnolia Village): Look for the StoryWalk® at the southwest intersection of McGraw and 32nd Avenue West during farmers market hours, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Magnolia StoryWalks® are part of a collaboration between Seattle Parks & Recreation, Daybreak Star Preschool, Magnolia Farmers Market and The Seattle Public Library.
The books were chosen by Daybreak Star Preschool teachers and their community to highlight Indigenous stories told by Indigenous authors.
“Many print works, including those claiming to transmit knowledge about Native histories, cultures and traditions, are written from a settler-colonial perspective,” said Mai Takahashi, children’s librarian with The Seattle Public Library. “These StoryWalks® were created to counteract this harm and bring richer understanding and joy through the recognition of shared experiences.”
What is a StoryWalk®?
A StoryWalk® is an outdoor reading experience: A picture book is installed on signposts along a walking route, where families can read along as they walk and enjoy the outdoors. StoryWalks® encourage reading, imagination, fitness and exploring your community.
The StoryWalk™ Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library.
Shelf Talk 