First Walk Checklist

Have you thought of everything?

At StorybookWalk.com, we understand that setting up your first reading installation can feel overwhelming—from choosing the right site to finding funding, installing displays, and picking the right book. That’s why we’ve put together this simple guide to help you plan, prepare, and bring your display to life. And we're here to support you every step of the way.

What is your plan?

  • Do you have a good location? - When choosing your location, make sure that it is a space that is accessible for everyone including those in wheelchairs or with disabilities.

  • Do you have a layout for your walk? - Whether you place your frames in a straight line, on a curve, or in a figure eight is up to you. You can space your signs according to your needs just make sure that every sign is viewable from the sign before it.

Have you picked out a display?

  • Do you know where to buy a permanent display? - There are a variety of companies that sell permanent signs. We recommend Pannier Graphics as they sell frames specifically for reading displays. Go to Pannier

  • Do you know how many frames you will need? We recommend buying 20 frames as this enough to allow you to include information about your organization as well as an entire story (In order to fit a normal 32 page picture book with 12-14 spreads, you will need a minimum of 15 frames).

Do you understand the basics?

  • Do you know what goes in a typical story frame? - A normal display will include a metal frame in size 18 x 24 on a post and will hold two sheets of acrylic that can be removed for switching out stories.

  • Do you need backer panels? - One decision you will need to make when planning your first installation is if you want backer panels. A backer panel is a colorful backdrop made of a sturdy water-fest material that goes in the back of display in place of a piece of acrylic.

Here are the pros and cons:

Pros of a backer panel: - Printed with high quality inks, backer panels take years to fade. They are a great place to print information about your organization and to keep every frame of your walk consistent. You can number each panel, add your logo, and even put a QR code.

Would you like us to customize a backer panel for you? Click here.

Cons of a backer panel: -When using a backer panel, you will be restricted with the size of story that you can use in your display. The story in the image is size 11 x 17 inch.

What other options are there to backer panels?

If you do not use backer panels, you will need to make sure that the frames that you buy are equipped with two sheets of acrylic. These sheets will protect the story that you put between them.

The best way to make your display shine without backer panels is to place stories inside it that fit the entire frame. At StorybookWalk.com we have a variety of Ready-to-Use Laminated Editions available. The one in the image is in size 18 x 24.

Would you like to see our selection of Ready-to-Use stories? Click here.

Do you know how much your walk will cost?

  • Do you know how to calculate the entire cost of your walk? It can be difficult trying to figure out just how much money you will need for your first installation. We have calculated the budget for two possible display ideas - one which uses backer panels and one which does not. Both of these are under $10,000. Our tip? If you have leftover money, buy gift certificates for future stories so that your money doesn’t go to waste.

  • Do you have funding? Many organizations use grant money to pay for their literacy initiatives. We have created a standard statement which you can use on your grant application to describe what you need.

    Grant Statement:

    The [Name of School/Library/Organization] is seeking funding to install a permanent outdoor exhibit to promote early literacy, outdoor learning, and family engagement. The exhibit will feature rotating children’s books displayed along an outdoor path, encouraging movement and shared reading experiences. Books and materials will be sourced from a trusted literacy provider and updated periodically to keep the content fresh and engaging. This initiative will foster a love of reading while supporting physical wellness and community connection.

Have you already chosen a story?

  • Are you ready to pick a book? - At StorybookWalk.com we specialize in offering a variety of stories for use in a reading display. All of our stories contain activity or discussion prompts making reading an interactive experience. Please see our catalog for more information or visit our online shop today! We also offer Gift Certificates if you would like to choose your books at a later date.

    Would you like to visit our shop and see what stories we can offer you? Click here.

  • Are you interested in customizing your Storybook Walk? - Add custom Intro pages thanking your sponsors or extra pages with info about your organization or region. Find out more here.