April showers bring May flowers.  The weather this year is behaving just exactly as the saying goes – after all the snow and rain, now the sun is shining, trees budding, and flowers blooming, finally time for hiking and Storywalks again! Yes, our annual Storywalks are back to take your reading outdoors! Each spring, we put out beautifully designed storyboards of critically acclaimed picture books in our city parks and trails so you can read while you hike during the summer months. This year, we have seven Storywalks as outlined below:

For details of these books and where you can find them in the nature, please read on.

Truckin’ by Nancy Hundal, illustrated by Angela Poon, published by Owlkids, in Mackenzie Glen District Park  (Ward 1)

A little girl goes on a long-haul trucking trip with her mom and watches the world go by from the high window of the truck’s cab. From the child’s perspective, readers take a unique glimpse into life on the road with a trucker mom. To read the book in person, other than getting a print copy from one of the VPL locations, you can go straight to the Mackenzie Glen District Park to check out the Storywalk. If you’ve never been to Mackenzie Glen, the park offers a soccer field, a splash pad, and a playground, perfect for families. The park ground has hosted many concerts and events in the past, and again this year on August 5. As part of the Bartley Smith Greenway (a 15 km trail running from Steeles Ave all the way up to Teston Rd) the park also has easy trails situated conveniently within a subdivision. 

The Perfect Paper Airplane by Robert Munsch, Illustrated By Michael Martchenko, published by Scholastic Canada, in Nort Johnson District Park (Ward 2)

Kevin tries his best to make a paper airplane that will zoom really far, like his dad’s. But all his attempts go SPLORT! Finally he succeeds in making the perfect paper airplane, but wait – will it ever come down? This funny story is available at VPL, and the Storywalk is at the Nort Johnson District Park, where you’ll not only the lovely green but also puppies out on walks, ducks swimming, and blue jays flying.

Poem in My Pocket by Chris Tougas, illustrated by Josée Bisaillon, published by Poem in My Pocket,  in Lawford Park (Ward 3)

The words of our young poet’s poem dropped out of his ripped pocket, so he begins his journey to capture the loose words and arrange them back into poem form but lose them again in a swooping storm over a busy city street! This playful picture book takes young readers on a fun rhyming adventure of the creative writing process, perfect for class discussions. Borrow a print copy at VPL or visit the Lawford Park, which is another awesome neighborhood park that offers slides and swings, basketball court and soccer fields, perfect for family fun.

If You Want to Be a Butterfly by Muon Thi Van, illustrated by Andrea Armstrong, published by Kids Can Press, in Sugarbush Heritage Park (Ward 4)

This beautiful picture book is an innovative exploration of a butterfly’s life cycle, but in reverse. Award-winning author Muon Thi Van’s lyrical language and use of the second person make this delightful picture book a perfect choice for interactive read-alouds. Come out to enjoy this charming Storywalk through the Sugarbush Nature Walk, the 2.4-km unlit, unpaved walking trail, and don’t forget to check out the Baker House and its rich history about Vaughan’s maple syrup pioneers.

The Last Last by Wendy J. Whittingham, illustrated by Brianna McCarthy, published by House of Anansi Press, in Marita Payne Park (Ward 5)

Inspired by the author’s childhood in Jamaica, and boldly brought to life by Caribbean artist Brianna McCarthy, this wonderful story explores the idea that it’s possible to make new memories while still carrying beautiful memories of your first home in your heart. You can borrow a print copy  from us or check it out at Marita Payne Park, which is also part of the Bartley Smith Greenway. The Park includes playgrounds, sports fields, and a picnic area, another perfect spot for family fun while taking in the lush green space.

The Noisy Puddle by Linda Booth Sweeney, illustrated by Miki Sato, in Kortright Conservation Centre

With buoyant, lyrical text and beautiful cut-paper collage illustrations, this informational picture book follows two curious siblings as they observe the hidden world of a vernal pool: a special kind of puddle habitat that pops up in the spring, dries up by summer, reappears in the fall, and freezes over in the winter—only to come back again in the spring. Check out The Noisy Puddle from us or at the Kortright Conservation Centre,  one of the oases in Vaughan.

Carson Crosses Canada by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Kass Reich, published by Penguin Random House Canada in Assembly Park  

Again this year we’re installing this sweet road-trip story at  Assembly Park. Come follow Annie and her pet dog Carson as they drive across Canada to visit Annie’s sister, starting in British Columbia and ending in Newfoundland, pausing along the way at iconic Canadian landmarks, all at once in Assembly Park, right at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, conveniently located near the subway station, bus terminal, and of course our VMC Library located in the same building as the YMCA at the David Braley Vaughan Centre.

I hope you will enjoy this diverse collection of Storywalks this year. Be sure to check them out! Before you go, don’t forget to check out Vaughan Public Libraries’ cool services such as the Nature Backpacks and Ontario Park Passes that can save you money while you have fun. Also, consider joining our Explore Your Trail program on July 4 at Nort Johnson District Park to learn more about your local nature with our special guest from Ontario Streams. We’d love to see you!