Read the Story of the "Real" Winnie the Pooh at Free Zoo StoryWalk April 1
March 20, 2017 — Kids can prove it’s possible to read and walk at the same time during a special story time and StoryWalk® at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 1, at Dickerson Park Zoo, 1401 W. Norton Road.
The zoo and the Springfield-Greene County Library are sponsoring the one-day StoryWalk®, when families can read the book “Finding Winnie, The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear” as it is displayed, page by page, on signposts along a zoo path. The event is geared for infants-age 12.
StoryWalks® combine three important elements that promote learning: reading, moving and enjoying the outdoors.
Librarians will join families to read the book together at 10 a.m., then everyone can walk the path to the bear exhibit as they read the book again on signposts. After the Storywalk®, zoo staff will present a black bear program. Additional activities are planned until 2 p.m.
Dickerson Park Zoo will waive the admission fee for children ages 3-12 who bring along a teddy bear for their zoo adventure. Anyone over age 12 who brings a teddy bear will pay the group admission price of $6. Regular admission is $12.
"StoryWalk is our first event of the season, and we are thrilled to partner with the Springfield-Greene County Library to promote learning, reading, moving and enjoying the outdoors,” said Joey Powell, zoo public relations and marketing director. “Plus, we can't wait to see all the kids with their teddy bears."
“Finding Winnie,” by Lindsay Mattick and illustrated by Sophie Blackall, is the featured book of the Library’s One Read in April. The annual event encourages the whole community to read the featured title and attend programs planned around its themes.
This year’s One Read focuses on the literature and themes of World War I in honor of the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into World War I. “Finding Winnie” is the true story of the Canadian veterinarian who, on his way to fight in the war, buys an American bear cub he names for his hometown of Winnipeg and travels with it to training camp in England.
Sophie Blackall won the 2016 Caldecott Medal for her tender illustrations in “Finding Winnie,” and will speak at a free event for all ages at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at the Springfield Art Museum.
For more details about One Read events, visit thelibrary.org/oneread. For details call 882-0714.