The Iowa City Downtown District is excited to announce its third Downtown Iowa City StoryWalk®! For the month of April, kids and families are invited to take a walk through Downtown and the Northside neighborhoods as they read pages from a book displayed in shop windows. To start the walk, kids and families can pick up the official maps at the starting location and follow the marked path from store to store to read the book.
2022 April StoryWalk®
- This event has passed.
2022 April StoryWalk®
April 1, 2022 @ 10:00 am - April 30, 2022 @ 5:00 pm
Free
The Downtown Iowa City StoryWalk® will have two routes available. Norman Didn’t Do It! (Yes, he did.), a newly-released children’s book written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins, will have 21 stops throughout Downtown. Always by My Side, written and illustrated by Iowa-native Jennifer Black Reinhardt, will be another route that will take you through 17 stops in the Northside. Families can enjoy the books at their own pace. Kids and families will be able to submit their map at the end of each route for a chance to win a copy of the books and a prize. Books are available for purchase at Prairie Lights Bookstore.
DOWNTOWN ROUTE
Norman Didn’t Do It! (Yes, he did.)
Ryan T. Higgins
Ryan T. Higgins, the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Mother Bruce series, delivers a contemporary tale of friendship. Norman is a porcupine. Mildred is a tree. Norman and Mildred are best friends. Just the two of them. And only the two of them. But when a surprise pops up, life will never be the same again.
When asked which one of Higgins’ many characters from his books he would want to spend a day with, he answered, “I’d like to hang out with Norman the most! It’d be fun to see his reaction on day to day events, and I’d like to get his take on things.”
Come spend a day with Norman while you read this book about a porcupine, his best friend, and the surprise they encounter!
Start Location:
- Iowa City Public Library
- 123 S Linn St.
Hours:
- Sunday: 12PM – 5PM
- Monday: 10AM – 9PM
- Tuesday: 10AM – 9PM
- Wednesday: 10AM – 9PM
- Thursday: 10AM – 9PM
- Friday: 10AM – 8PM
- Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
Route:
- 21 stops
- Approximately 1.4 miles
- 30 minutes
Reading Level:
- 4 – 10 years old
NORTHSIDE ROUTE
Always by My Side
Jennifer Black Reinhardt
Always by My Side was written and illustrated by Iowa-native Jennifer Black Reinhardt. The story follows a little boy as he gradually outgrows the need for the constant presence for his comforting companion–a stuffed green dinosaur. But as the stuffed animal narrates, none of us grow out of loving our favorite toys, and, perhaps, they never stop loving us back. When you need a loving hug, or a cuddle of reassurance, or just someone to play with, fuzzy creatures big and small, short and tall, will always be your friend.
Part of Reinhardt’s inspiration for the story came from her son William and the stuffed animal he cherished. Her name was Dina and she was a little plush dinosaur that lived in a fabric egg. He took Dina everywhere with him on his adventures.
Jennifer encourages kids participating in the StoryWalk to bring their favorite stuffed animal along to read the book. They can experience the story together about the incredible bond and love between a child and their friend.
Start Location:
- High Ground Cafe
- 301 E Market St.
Hours:
- Sunday: 8AM – 9PM
- Monday: 8AM – 9PM
- Tuesday: 8AM – 9PM
- Wednesday: 8AM – 9PM
- Thursday: 8AM – 9PM
- Friday: 8AM – 9PM
- Saturday: 8AM – 9PM
Route:
- 17 stops
- Approximately 0.5 miles
- 10 – 15 minutes
Reading Level:
- 4 – 10 years old
As a way to help promote reading and exercise, the StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT. It was developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library. The Iowa City Downtown District is excited to hold another StoryWalk® after the great success of the event’s debut to bring the community together to bask in the summer sun, continue learning, and explore downtown in a new and exciting way.