Park and Read Program Will Herald Chappaqua Children's Book Festival

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — Spending time in the outdoors and reading might be the two best ways to spend the break from school and Westchester kids will be uniquely situated to enjoy both this summer.

"Park and Read," a summer read-aloud program conceived to foster a love for reading in young children, is set to take place across the Westchester County Parks system. This initiative, organized by Westchester County Director of Programs and Policies, Childcare & Education Roseanne Finizio, in collaboration with Chappaqua Children's Book Festival Executive Director Dawn Greenberg, will offer an enriching experience for children aged 3 to 6 this summer.

On weekdays, from July 10 – August 10, at 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., the Park and Read program will feature storytelling sessions in both English and Spanish. Storytellers will bring stories to life, celebrating the magic of reading for children and families to enjoy in picturesque settings.

The first reader will be Westchester County Executive George Latimer.

"The Park and Read program combines the joy of storytelling with the beauty of Westchester County Parks, creating a magical experience that fosters a love for reading," Latimer said. "We are excited to inspire young minds to get lost in the joy of books."

The program will take place at the county's most impressive green spaces:

• July 10-13: Willson's Woods Park, DeMatteo Terrace, 8 Bradford Road, Mount Vernon.
• July 17-20: Glen Island Park, Grass area outside of bathhouse (Pavilion 1 held for inclement weather), Weyman Avenue, New Rochelle.
• July 24-28: Tibbetts Brook Park, Grass area in front of bathhouse (Catering Hall held for inclement weather), 355 Midland Avenue, Yonkers.
• July 31 - August 3: Saxon Woods Park, Grass area adjacent to children's playground (Pavilion held for inclement weather), 1800 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains.
• August 7-10: Kensico Dam Plaza, Grass area outside of office, 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla.

"As a former educator, I have witnessed the profound importance of reading and the transformative impact of reading to children," Finizio said. "With the Park and Read program, I am delighted to have the opportunity to foster a love for reading among children and create memorable moments of joy under the summer sun."

The Park and Read program welcomes children accompanied by a guardian and admission is free. Pre-registration is not required.

"The Chappaqua Children's Book Festival is thrilled to partner with Westchester County Parks for this initiative," Greenberg said. "By bringing literature to the heart of nature, Park and Read aims to create a memorable summer experience for children while encouraging the practice of shared reading at home."

More information can be found here.

About the Chappaqua Children's Book Festival:

The Chappaqua Children's Book Festival is an annual event held in Chappaqua, NY, that celebrates children's literature and authors. With a mission to inspire a love for reading and learning, the festival brings together authors, illustrators and families for a day filled with literary activities, book signings and storytelling sessions.