Take a storytime stroll in south Everett, thanks to the library

EVERETT — Missing storytime at the library? Read a book at the park with your family instead.

Visit Hauge Homestead Park at Silver Lake through Aug. 28 to read “Little Red Riding Hood” in English and Spanish.

The bilingual book, featuring illustrations by Francesc Rovira, is posted on 14 signs along Silver Lake Trail.

“It’s an opportunity to read, have conversation, be outside, get some sunshine, get your body moving, which are all very important things for our minds and our bodies,” said Abigail Cooley, director of the Everett Public Library.

Look for the numbered yellow signs along the park’s trail. As you walk along, read aloud one page of the story at a time to your children. Try it in English, then go back and read it in Spanish.

“If you happen upon sign No. 6, you can backtrack to the beginning,” Cooley said. “They’re not too far spaced out, so you don’t have to go a great distance.”

The book walk is a collaboration between the Everett Public Library, Everett Parks & Community Services and the Friends of the Everett Public Library.

“While the library is closed, this is one way we can connect with families,” said Emily Dagg, the library’s Youth Services manager. “We aren’t able to do storytime in person, in the library, so this kind of outdoor storytime that families can do together is a wonderful idea.”

Cory Rettenmier, Everett’s Recreation and Parks manager, said the book walk is a great — albeit temporary — amenity to add to Hauge Homestead Park. In addition to trails, the 3.3 acre park features a playground and picnic shelter.

Rettenmier said he took his two kids — Maggie is a fourth-grader and Porter is a first-grader — on the book walk on Saturday.

“They absolutely loved it,” he said. “The cool thing is both of the kids have some immersion (at school), so they’re definitely curious and interested in Spanish.”

There are plans to install bilingual book walks at other parks in Everett. The stories will change from time to time so families can enjoy multiple storytime strolls through the park.

Dagg said the library is looking into working with the Evergreen Arboretum & Gardens and Port of Everett. Plans are tentative right now.

“We hope to have another one installed by the middle of the week at the arboretum,” she said. “That one will be 16 signs long.”

Much like you would a book, the librarians at Everett Public Library borrowed the idea.

Book or story walks as children’s activities can now be found at libraries in all 50 states. In 2007, the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Vermont partnered to turn David Ezra Stein’s book “Leaves” into the very first story walk.

They’re also at Baltimore County Public Library, where Cooley was the managing librarian at two branches.

Cooley said the book walks are about promoting early literacy, physical activity and family time together in nature.

“We’re trying to find creative ways to meet those needs and connect with our community,” Cooley said, adding that it’s perfect for COVID times. “This is one of those ways.”

Everett’s librarians look for bilingual books with great pictures. They have a short list of books to pick from because of copyright reasons.

They decided on “Little Red Riding Hood” by Luz Orihuela for Hauge Homestead Park and “One by One” by Blythe Lynden for the Evergreen Arboretum. Both books are in English and Spanish.

Why a children’s book in English and Spanish? According to the U.S. Census, 11.1% of the Everett population speaks Spanish at home. And, in 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Washington was Mexico.

“We have such a diverse population in the south end, that this a really great opportunity for the Hispanic population to be exposed to this program as well,” Rettenmier said.

Visitors to the parks are asked to follow all health and safety guidelines to stem the spread of COVID-19. This includes wearing masks and social distancing.

“If we can brighten one person’s day because they can get outside and read a story, then it’s all worth it,” Cooley said. “And then, similarly, if we have book lovers, and this encourages them to take advantage of one of our city parks, then that’s also worth it.

“It’s a win-win to me.”

If you go

The Everett Public Library invites you to read “Little Red Riding Hood” in English and Spanish — featuring illustrations by Francesc Rovira — on signs posted throughout Hauge Homestead Park at Silver Lake, 1819 121st St. SE, Everett. Look for the numbered yellow signs along the park’s path. Read aloud one page of the story on each sign to your children. The book installation will be up at the park through Aug. 28. Call 425-257-8000.

Curbside checkout

Both branches of the Everett Public Library are closed due to COVID-19. But you can still check out “Little Red Riding Hood” to read again at home.

Curbside check out and return at Everett’s main library, 2702 Hoyt Ave., Everett, is available noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Go to Hoyt Avenue for pick-up; drop-off is near the parking garage on Everett Avenue.

The Evergreen branch, 9512 Evergreen Way, Everett, also offers curbside pickup. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Library staff are available by phone 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday to help place holds on materials, recommend books and answer reference or account questions. Call 425-257-8000 for assistance.