STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Read the charming children’s story “Over and Under the Snow” as you explore beautiful downtown Hailey.

Don’t let your fingers do the walking as you turn the pages. Instead, let your feet do the walking in the inaugural Hailey Downtown StoryWalk.

The Hailey Public Library and Blaine County Recreation District are hosting the StoryWalk. Each page of Kate Messner’ book will be posted in a different business window beginning Friday, March 12, and running through Friday, April 2.

The walk begins at the library where maps are available. It will take about 30 minutes to complete. Participants are then encouraged to return to the library and enter their favorite animal in a contest for a drawing to be held April 2.

StoryWalks maybe one of the best ideas ever invented,” said Kristin Fletcher, the library’s programs and community engagement coordinator. “It’s self-paced, outdoor-oriented and can be enjoyed by young and old alike.

“And this story about a father and daughter observing the natural world while skiing through a forest is a perfect fit for our community. We are grateful for the enthusiastic response by local businesses and hope this becomes a regular offering.”

Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, developed the original concept for the StoryWalk© Project in 2007. The idea has been adopted by libraries and other organizations in all 50 states and 12 foreign countries.

The Hailey Public Library first tried the StoryWalk during the 2020 Ski the Rails, placing story pages along the bike path for skiers to read as they skied from Ketchum to Hailey.

Crested Butte, Colo., has a permanent StoryWalk set up along one of its popular trails close to town.