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The Storybook Trail at Civic Park welcomes the addition of two new stories through a donation from Colortech, Inc.

Ready by 6 and Morristown Parks and Recreation announced the addition of ‘Abuela’ by Arthur Dorros and ‘Peace is an Offering’ (La paza es una Ofrenda) by Annette LeBox to the Storybook Trail.

The trail opened in the fall of 2021 with the presentation of two books ‘The Snowy Day’ and ‘When the Storm Comes.’ The Storybook Trail connects literacy with physical activities by presenting storybook pages on child-height panels along a short trail throughout the park.

“The trail is made for the early childhood families,” said Tish Jones, Ready by 6 coordinator. “The children can walk along the path and each panel is on their level so when they see them their parents can read the stories to them as they walk.”

Each panel also features a reading tip that encourages family engagement by bringing the book to life.

“The Storybook Trail gives parents, grandparents and childcare workers one more way to interact with preschoolers and enjoy our parks at the same time,” said Frankie Cox, Morristown Parks and Rec. Recreation superintendent.

The trail was made through a collaboration with Ready by 6, Morristown Parks and Recreation, the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation, Dollywood Foundation and Colortech, Inc.

“With the community and state’s support we added two panels, then we received more support and added two more so now we can change the stories each quarter once a year,” Jones said.

The President of Colortech, Inc Alex Rom-Roginski has been a strong supporter of the community and children’s literacy.

“One of our Guiding Principles, The Five C’s, is Community.” Rom-Roginski said. “We are committed to investing in the communities where we have the privilege to operate to help make a difference and improve the quality of life.”

“We believe the addition of ‘Abulea’ and ‘Peace is an Offering’ to the Storybook Trail will help increase the opportunities for family engagement, literacy as well as physical activity and is aligned with our strategy of supporting education, community service and the arts.”

Ready by 6 is a branch of HC*EXCELL that assists families with young children to help them the receive skills and resources that allow them to enter and succeed in school.

The organization offers a variety of toolkits, tips, guides for new moms and different activities promoting education.

For more information on Ready by 6 or the Storybook Trail, call 423-312-8661.