Take a Summer StoryWalk® in Magnolia Featuring Indigenous Stories
release date: July 7, 2025
For the fifth year, everyone is invited to enjoy summer StoryWalks® in Seattle’s beautiful Magnolia neighborhood featuring Indigenous stories and authors. Picture books are posted, page by page, in three Magnolia locations – outside the Magnolia Branch, on a trail near the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, and at the Magnolia Farmers Market – through Sunday, Aug. 31 for families, caregivers, and children to enjoy.
For the first time, each story is also transcribed into Braille on the StoryWalk® boards, through a partnership with the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library.
“We’re so excited to celebrate our fifth year of Magnolia StoryWalks® and our partnership with Daybreak Star Preschool teachers,” said children’s librarian Mai Takahashi, who helps organize the program. “Over the years, this program has become a beautiful bridge connecting the urban Native community with our neighbors here in Magnolia.”
The teachers at Daybreak Star choose books by Native authors to share stories that reflect Two-Spirit identities, Coast Salish cultures, and Native stories from all over North America. This year, they chose four books. Each book will rotate to one of the three different locations every other week.
- 47,000 Beads by Koja Adeyoha
- This Land by Ashley Fairbanks
- Shanyaak’utlaax by Salmon Boy
- Her First Basket by Michele Balagot
HOW TO FIND THE MAGNOLIA STORYWALKS®
- Daybreak Star Preschool (5011 Bernie Whitebear Way): The StoryWalk® is located at a pond near the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center. Look for the signs. Parking is available at the north parking lot.
- Magnolia Branch (2801 34th Ave. W.): Look for the StoryWalk® outside the branch. Stop by the branch, too, during open hours: Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 8 p.m., and Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Magnolia Farmers Market (W. McGraw St. & 33rd Ave. W. in Magnolia Village): Look for the StoryWalk® at the southwest intersection of McGraw and 32nd Ave. W. during market hours, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Too often, books about Native history and culture are written from an outsider’s point of view,” said Takahashi. “By sharing books written by Native authors and stories passed down by elders and community members, we help our kids learn in a way that feels true, joyful, and rooted in who they are.”
The Magnolia StoryWalks® are part of a collaboration between Daybreak Star Preschool, Magnolia Farmers Market, The Seattle Public Library, and Washington Talking Book and Braille Library. This program was made possible by support from Magnolia Branch staff. Find out more at The Seattle Public Library’s blog.
WHAT IS A STORYWALK®?
A StoryWalk® is an outdoor reading experience: A picture book is installed on signposts along a walking route, where families can read along as they walk and enjoy the outdoors. StoryWalks® encourage reading, imagination, fitness, and exploring your community. The StoryWalk™ Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library.
About The Seattle Public Library
The Library believes that the power of knowledge improves people's lives. We promote literacy and a love of reading as we bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and empower community. Find more events at www.spl.org/Calendar.
Contact the Library’s Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email or chat at www.spl.org/Ask. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information.