Book Treks
Where books run wild!

A Book Trek is a one-of-a-kind adventure that gets children outdoors and active while reading. It is based on the concept of a StoryWalk®, which was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and has developed with the help of Rachel Senechal, Kellogg-Hubbard Library. For a StoryWalk®, laminated pages from a children's book are attached to wooden stakes, which are installed along an outdoor path. As you stroll down the trail, you're directed to the next page in the story.

But we wanted the kids to do more than just stroll, so we applied a little Reading Giraffe magic to take the concept to the next level.
  • An easy-to-read station number is included with each stake, making it easy to find.
  • We hand out student maps to give the event a treasure hunt feel. The map shows the station numbers and contains the following:
    • Directions on how to get from station to station. Instead of walking, children might fly, hop, spin, leap, or dance their way to the next station. The movements are often tied to the scene depicted at that station.
    • Certain stations have Game Zones that are related to the tale. For example, children might toss frogs into a pond, catch ghosts, or have to flutter to a flower before bumblebees get there.
    • Some stations might also include questions about the storyline or characters, or perhaps fun, educational facts tied to the book.
We have a collection of stories in ​Book Trek format. Or we can create a customized adventure for your favorite tale!

A full-day Book Trek includes:
  • Course setup (usually the day before the event). This includes staking the pages along a trail or pathway and setting up the Game Zones.
  • An on-site coordinator for the day of the event.
  • A Book Trek map and Alphie stamp for each student.
 
The school provides:
  • Guides - we typically divide each class into groups of 4 to 6 students, each with their own guide.
  • A class schedule - a Book Trek takes about 20 to 30 minutes for each group to complete.
  • If a school has a “Reading Buddies” program, younger students can be paired with their buddies.

​To inquire about a Book Trek, click HERE.

The kids’ favorite Reading Giraffe, Alphie, joins us for each Book Trek. And just where do five-foot-tall giraffes read?  Anywhere they want!