A Storybook Walk through Bruemmer Park

KEWAUNEE – On Tuesday, May 12, local author Janet Tlachac-Toonen will take kids on a Storybook Walk in collaboration with the Kewaunee County Public Health Department and Kewaunee County Parks and Recreation. This event is a free, family-friendly activity where children can read a book page by page as they walk towards the zoo.

Last year, over 100 children attended. The event is funded by grant money aimed at promoting physical and social health in the community.

“There is a trail that you can follow that leads into the zoo, and there are wooden stands that are encased in glass. So there are several different stands, and it goes through every page of the book. So kids can walk from one stand to the next and read the book as they enter the zoo,” Kewaunee County Health Officer and Director Cindy Kinnard said.

This year’s story, “The Forest Lesson” by Janet Tlachac-Toonen, promotes friendship and inclusivity. The book has won two Story Monster Approved Awards in the School Life and Picture Book ages 3-8 categories. However, it offers a lesson that anyone can benefit from.

“We had a lot of grandparents that took kids, and we had some parents that took their kids,” Kinnard said. “We encourage anyone who’s free to come through. We’ve also had some of our special needs populations that are a little bit older come through in other years as well. It’s just a fun way to get them out in the park and to enjoy the walk.”

From 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, May 12, Tlachac-Toonen will be available to walk children through the story, reading each page aloud. However, the story will remain in place for the rest of the summer.

“We encourage parents to take their kids through and just go through at their own pace,” Kinnard said.

While the event promotes reading, it also encourages physical activity and social connections. Tlachac-Toonen will stop doing guided reading tours at noon, but the event will continue with fun crafts and games.

“We try to do more than just the story while they’re there,” Kinnard said. “So we have a little obstacle course set up for them. There’s an area where they can do sidewalk chalk. There’s an area where they can make bubbles. This year we’re going to have a kite-making craft, so they’ll all leave with a kite.”
Goats will be outside the zoo, weather permitting, to provide additional entertainment for attendees.