MDC teams up with St. Charles City-County Library Foundation for Storybook Walk

Wentzville, Mo. — Getting kids outdoors is not only a great way to help them discover nature; it can be a great way to help them discover reading too.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is partnering with the St. Charles City-County Library Foundation on the Storybook Walk Program. Storybook Walk offers a unique approach to encourage kids to read by making it an outdoor adventure for them. It promotes family connection, exercise and early childhood development. Being in nature also improves quality of life by encouraging wellness and a healthy lifestyle.

A new book is posted periodically at several stations along a trail in a different St. Charles County Park, allowing children and families to enjoy a story as the walk the path and take in nature's scenery.

Now through December, the St. Charles City-County Library Foundation has selected to feature MDC's Fox in the Forest book at Quail Ridge Park. Fox in the Forest introduces children to the amazing array of life in Missouri forests with colorful pictures and an engaging story written by Lorna Domke and illustrated by wildlife artist David Besenger.

It's the tale of a gray fox kit that sets out one spring morning and meets all sorts of flying, crawling and running creatures, including a luna moth, tiger salamander, box turtle, white-tailed deer and more. Pages of the book will be set up on water-resistant display posts on the paved trail just behind Quail Ridge Lodge. It's an excellent way to combine, learning, literacy and exercise with quality family time.

Quail Ridge Park is located in Wentzville at 5501 Quail Ridge Parkway. It is open from 7 a.m. until one half hour after sunset.

Fox in the Forest may also be purchased for $6.50 at many MDC offices, or online at MDCnatureshop.com.