Take children to read ‘The Bug Girl’ at Lake Memorial Park, search for hidden bugs
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Free Public Library has picked a perfect book for spring for its new StoryWalk® as the temperatures warm up, the sun stays out later and later, plants begin to sprout … and bugs are everywhere.
In fact, bugs are the theme of the day. There are a bunch of them to be found at Lake Memorial Park on Wesley Avenue, home of StoryWalk®. Fortunately, these bugs are in the pages of the children’s book, “The Bug Girl,” staked out on small placards along the meandering path, and others are on laminated cutouts hidden around the park, just waiting for children to find them.
The library started the program in the late fall. It was a chance to give parents and their small children an opportunity to read and have a safe outdoor activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. It started with “The Gruffalo” in the fall and over the winter featured “Snowmen at Night.”
Now, it’s time for “The Bug Girl.”
Children’s librarian Taimi Kelley said there were two reasons behind why she chose “The Bug Girl” for the new StoryWalk® that debuted April 22 at the park.
“We wanted to do something that had to do with Earth or nature being that it is spring,” she said. “Lake Memorial Park was dedicated on Earth Day so we wanted to do something that tied that in as well.”
She chose a book that is relatively new, published around February 2020. It hadn’t been on her radar until she was searching for books for StoryWalk®. Kelley looks for books with a story and illustrations that will appeal to a wide range of children because parents bring preschoolers and school-age children to the walks.
What she liked about “The Bug Girl” was that it is a true story.
“I thought it was inspiring that Sophia (Spencer) wrote this with the help of Margaret McNamara. (It is illustrated by Kerascoet.) It told her story and how she pursued her passion. In the book she is 7. She is 12 now,” Kelley said.
The young author “loved bugs and she was made fun of in school as she got older” because of her interest. Her supportive mother “reached out to a group of entomologists to see if they would write to Sophia and they did. She had scientists from all over the world send her letters and inspired her,” Kelley said. “I give a lot of credit to the mom.”
Spencer was 11 when the book was first published and she was interviewed on National Public Radio, “Good Morning America” and “The Today Show.” “She got a lot of media coverage,” Kelley said.
“The lesson in the book is to follow your passion, which is a great message for kids,” she said.
The StoryWalk® involves having the pages of the book on display around Lake Memorial Park. Families can stop and read the pages as they follow the path. When they get to the end, there is a QR code on the final placard. That helps lead the children on a scavenger hunt back around the park to look for hidden laminated pictures of bugs around the park.
Last Thursday, on the opening day of the new walk – which is up through the month of May – library staff members were on hand, handing out bug-themed craft kits to the children. Those craft kits are available now at the library. The book had bug facts at the end and the library made a point of having more bug facts posted right outside the library so when children come in to get their craft kit (or just to read or take out a book), they can find more bug facts.
The StoryWalk® is open to anyone who wants to take a walk in the park. Currently, the library itself is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Kelley said families are enjoying the StoryWalk® and the library has been getting positive feedback on them. She noted she had been thinking about starting them before the pandemic, then decided the timing was perfect for the activity.
“I think it is a great way for kids to experience books outside and in a healthy way,” she said.