Sunshine, sea spray and stories? Sounds like the making of a fantastic morning for caregivers and children alike!
This summer you can catch Esquimalt Parks and Recreation staff at Macaulay Point Park and Saxe Point Park, where they’ll host their special drop-in “Summer Stories in the Park” series.
Every Friday starting July 7, staff will alternate between the two parks, reading environmental education-themed books then leading a nature walk.
The sessions run from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and parents or guardians are required to remain in attendance.
The selected books are geared towards children aged three to six but all ages are welcome to attend, says Jacquie Fitts, Recreation Programmer - Community Development.
“Summer Stories in the Park is a free activity and designed to help children gain an appreciation for nature, reading and our beautiful local parks,” Fitts says. “Our first reading will be at Saxe Point Park and then we will start alternating between the parks, so that children can learn about the environment around them and meet other kids from the community.”
Kicking off the children’s literacy series on July 7 is Tokyo Digs a Garden, by Canadian author Jon-Erik Lappano. Winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award for Young People’s Literature, the book focuses on Tokyo and his cat, Kevin. When a mysterious old woman gives Tokyo some seeds, he grows a forest so large it takes over a city.
“This book was chosen for its beautiful illustrations by Kellen Hatanaka and its inspiring message of environmentalism and imagination,” Fitts says. “After story time, each morning will conclude with a nature walk around the park where we can discuss some of the themes from the stories in the environment around us.”
The first instalment of Summer Stories in the Park will include four award-winning books from Canadian authors:
July 7 – Tokyo Digs a Garden, by Jon-Erik Lappano
July 14 – West Coast Wild ABC, by Deborah Hodge
July 21 – Wildflower, by Melanie Brown
July 28 – Welcome, Rain! by Sheryl McFarlane
Find more information about Esquimalt Parks and Recreation events online here and follow them on Facebook and Instagram for event updates.
