MACHIAS – This January, Porter Memorial Library’s StoryWalk® will feature “Over and Under the Snow” by Kate Messner, an enchanting winter tale that invites young readers to discover the magical world beneath the snow.
Through the eyes of a father and daughter on a cross-country skiing adventure, “Over and Under the Snow” reveals a secret world where animals like squirrels, snowshoe hares, bears, and bullfrogs find warmth and safety under the winter blanket of snow. Though the surface seems still and silent, the story reveals the bustling, resilient world of life thriving just beneath the snow.
StoryWalk® is a unique, literacy-boosting initiative that takes children’s illustrated books and displays them page by page along community walking routes. This interactive outdoor reading experience combines physical activity with a love of books, encouraging families to explore and read together. In October 2023, Porter Memorial Library partnered with Healthy Acadia and Maine SNAP-Ed to bring the StoryWalk® project to downtown Machias.
Each month, a new book is carefully selected to reflect the season or community themes. As families stroll along the outdoor path, they can enjoy the story and discover a new adventure each month they visit. At the end of the StoryWalk®, visitors will also find a healthy, kid-friendly recipe inspired by the book’s themes, encouraging cooking and enjoying nutritious meals at home.
This project was made possible through the vision of Shannon Cherry, Healthy Acadia Maine SNAP-Ed Nutrition educator, in collaboration with Porter Memorial Library. In addition to offering cooking and nutrition education throughout the year, Maine SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educators support local projects that promote access to fresh, healthy food for all. These Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change Projects aim to improve food security and wellness in our communities.
Stop by the Porter Memorial Library throughout the year and enjoy the StoryWalk®.
The January book selection is generously sponsored by the Ustruck Family. Learn how you can support the StoryWalk® at Porter Memorial Library by contacting Cherry at [email protected] or 207-255-3741.
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ferguson.
Healthy Acadia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that engages in a broad range of initiatives to build healthier communities and make it easier for people to lead healthy lives across Washington and Hancock counties. Learn more at www.healthyacadia.org.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Maine SNAP-Ed is funded by the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which is administered by the Office for Family Independence (OFI) at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and implemented statewide by the University of New England (UNE) through contracts with local community organizations. Maine SNAP-Ed educates families experiencing low income on low-cost healthy eating and active lifestyles. Contact [email protected] or 207-221-4560 for more information.
