Downtown businesses in Powassan are again spreading Christmas cheer with the latest "story walk" project.
On display in the storefront windows of 18 businesses are the pages from the book '5 More Sleeps Til Christmas' (see below) written by Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon and illustrated by Rich Deas.
The Powassan and District Union Public Library secured Fallon's book for its third annual Christmas Story Walk.
Library clerk Jen Fryer says the book tells the story of a boy trying to stay up to see Santa Claus but falls asleep.
“It's a story people can relate to because as children we all tried doing the same thing but never managed to stay awake,” Fryer said. “The illustrations are beautiful. It's a great all-round story that we think will appeal to everyone”.
The library put text and pictures of Fallon's book on 18'' by 24'' laminated boards. It approached the businesses about displaying the latest story walk project and Fryer said: “They were more than happy to be involved.”
The storyboards began appearing at the store fronts near the end of November and Fryer said parents and their children are again enjoying the project.
“This project combines a love of literature, getting outdoors, and doing something as a family,” Fryer said, adding it's an event the library hopes it can put on every Christmas.
Fryer says parents should pick up a brochure at the library that details the order in which families should visit the businesses to read the story from start to end.
The Little Library at Cenotaph Park is where the reading begins and from there, it progresses to the businesses on Main Street.
Some storefronts were able to accommodate two laminated boards.
Fryer says the entire walk takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Fryer adds parents should hang on to the brochure because in it are several questions the children are asked to answer about what happens in the book.
“Once they answer the questions, they can bring the brochure back to the library for a gift bag”, she said.
A page from the book also made it to Powassan's annual Parade of Lights. One of the parade floats showcased a boy completely collapsed on his bed sleeping with a stuffed animal.
Fryer and her children created the float.
The businesses will display the story walk pages until early in the New Year so that residents as well as family and friends visiting over the holidays have time to take in the story.
Rocco Frangione is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the North Bay Nugget. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.