NEW ROCHELLE, (December 2, 2022) Want a fun and free break from shopping and holiday prep? Join us in New Rochelle Downtown for the City’s third STORYWALK® along Main Street.
Beginning Sunday December 4 and going through January 2, the New Rochelle Public Library (@n.r.p.l.), and New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District (@newrodowntown) are partnering to bring a special STORYWALK® that will have families and children reading a book’s pages progressively in Downtown merchant windows during the December holidays. The STORYWALK® book “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” by Robert May is now in 17 Main Street business windows. This year’s book has particular meaning because the author lived and wrote the book in New Rochelle and is being honored with an event and a plaque in Downtown’s Walk of Fame at Ruby Dee Park.
"We value our community partnerships and are grateful for the learning experiences for our children and families,” said City School District of New Rochelle Superintendent Jonathan P. Raymond. “Storywalk is a wonderful opportunity to encourage and support our students' love of reading while enjoying an opportunity to be outside and celebrate the holiday season.”
STORYWALK® is a national program created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont and developed in conjunction with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.
“This book is a meaningful holiday story that families and children of all ages continue to enjoy,” says Robert Simic, Head of Children’s Services, New Rochelle Public Library. "We are also pleased to present the story in both English and Spanish so everyone in our community can enjoy this classic story while strolling downtown,"commented Simic.
Children along with their friends, families and caregivers may begin this free story activity at the Library’s Lawton Street Entrance. There, they can get the map that provides the locations where all of the book’s pages are posted. Throughout the New Rochelle Downtown’s Main Street shops, the participating businesses will have their pages of the story displayed in their windows in both English and Spanish.
“We are so pleased that families and children will read this classic holiday story at their own pace while enjoying downtown New Rochelle," said Tom Geoffino, Director, New Rochelle Public Library. Once participants have a chance to read the story, shop, and dine, we hope they will stop by the Library to explore and borrow from our wonderful collection of books, DVDs, and CDs,” Geoffino added.
“We can’t wait to have you be part of the special Rudolph holiday magic that is happening here in New Rochelle Downtown when you come for this special STORYWALK® activity.'' said Karel Littman, Executive Director, New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District (NRBID). “And we hope everyone will grab a bite to eat and do some gift list shopping at the same time.”