What is a Storybook Walk™?

A Storybook Walk™ is a creative way to engage children in reading while they move. Pages from a children’s book are displayed individually along a path, wall, or fence—turning a simple walk into a fun literacy adventure. While this concept has been adapted in many forms, Storybook Walk™ was developed by The Storybook Company to offer innovative products that make setting up these experiences easier, more interactive, and more affordable.

We respectfully acknowledge that StoryWalk® is a registered trademark of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, created by Anne Ferguson in Montpelier, Vermont, to promote literacy and physical activity. Our products are independent of and not affiliated with the StoryWalk® Project.

You may also hear terms like Story Stroll, Story Trail, or Book Walk used in different communities to describe similar outdoor reading experiences.

Do I need permission to use a book?

We get permission to use all of the books that we have for sale on StorybookWalk.com from the authors/publishers directly.  Normally, you may publicly display a book you bought for a reading display. However, the moment you cut it apart or mount the pages separately, you create a derivative work—and U.S. copyright law (§106(2)) requires the copyright owner’s permission for that.

Although libraries and other not for profit entities often claim the fair use clause, this may not actually hold in court, as the copy being displayed is not in its original form. Therefore, we recommend to always get permission to use a book for a permanent reading display.

Under copyright law, only the author, illustrator (if self-published), or publisher are allowed to change the book in any way. For more info on copyrights, go to https://www.copyright.gov/

How do I get permission?

Look on the copyright page of the book that you want to use. If the book is self-published, contact the author. If a publisher is listed, look online to find out who to contact. Large publishing houses will have a rights department. A word of warning - this process can take a long time. The easiest way to get permission for a book is to use a local or small-published author. They are usually easy to find and contact.

Is a Storybook Walk expensive?

It doesn’t have to be. At StorybookWalk.com, we believe that these outdoor reading experiences should be accessible for all schools and libraries. If you're on a budget, you can hang your pages along a fence or display them in a school hallway. The most expensive part is often permanent outdoor displays. If you're interested in setting up a long-term installation, you might explore grant funding or support from local businesses. Our First Walk Checklist includes a sample budget and grant language you can use.

Is setting up a Storybook Walk difficult?

Not at all. StorybookWalk.com offers multiple setup ideas—from hallway displays to fence-friendly layouts. Our DIY editions make it easy to get started: just cut out the pages, laminate, and display. See our Display Ideas.

What is a DIY Storybook Walk Edition?

A DIY Storybook Walk Edition is a version of a children’s book where the pages can be easily taken out (or are loose leaf) so that they can be displayed along a path, wall, fence, or similar where children can read them and move between the pages. Often these pages are laminated before they are displayed. These books are usually in size 8 x 10 or 8.5 x 11. See an example of a DIY Storybook Walk Edition here.

What is a Ready-to-Use Laminated  Storybook Walk Edition?

A Ready-to-Use Storybook Walk Edition is a version of a children’s book where the pages have been organized into laminated spreads which can be displayed along a path, wall, fence, or similar where children can read them and move between the pages. These are usually in 11 x 17 or 18 x 24. See a Ready-to-Use Edition here.

What are prompts?

Many of our Storybook Walk™ editions include activity, literacy, or discussion prompts—encouraging kids to jump, laugh, and engage deeply with the story. These are displayed alongside each page or spread to create a more interactive experience. See example of Storybook Walk Extras here.

Will the Storybook Walk Editions fade over time?

As much as we love the sun, it is really hard on printed inks. Even though all of our Storybook Walk Editions are laminated using UV lamination, they will eventually fade. Unless you print all of your books directly onto backer panels, it is pretty impossible to avoid a bit of fading. So what can you do? If your Storywalks are hung in a very sunny area, consider getting UV resistant acrylic for the top layer. This adds an extra bit of protection. If this is too costly, you can buy UV film and add it to your acrylic panels yourself.

Do I need backer panels?

All Storywalk frames will have either two sheets of acrylic or a backer panel and a sheet of acrylic. The stories go in between these two sheets. If you would like to use 11 x 17 Ready-to-Use Storybook Walk Editions or stories of your own, then backer panels are a good option. They come in a variety of colors and make a wonderful backdrop behind your stories. They can also be customized to add information or logos from your organization. If you would prefer to have your stories larger, than it does not matter if you have a backer panel or a sheet of acrylic in the back. Both of these options are popular. It just depends on what you would like for your Storywalk.

Can I use the Storywalk® name?

Note on the StoryWalk® Name:
StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and was developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. It is intended for use in educational, noncommercial projects consistent with its literacy-focused mission.

At StorybookWalk.com, we are not affiliated with the StoryWalk® Project and do not use the StoryWalk® name in our commercial products. If you are creating a walk as part of a school, library, or nonprofit project, and wish to use the term StoryWalk®, you must include the following credit:

“The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.”

If you’re not sure whether your use qualifies, consider reaching out to the Kellogg-Hubbard Library for guidance.

I’m still confused. Help!

If you are still confused, have a question, or don’t know what to do, you can write to Kelley.Donner@gmail.com. She’ll do her best to try to get you on the right track. You can also check out her book “How to Create a Storybook Walk” or use our First Walk Checklist.