Snout: A New StoryWalk® Book for Libraries, Parks & Schools
There’s a new story rolling into the Read & Walk StoryWalk® book catalog, and we think kids are going to love meeting Snout.
Written by Kelley M Likes and illustrated by Ninnani, Snout follows a fire engine who suddenly finds himself wondering where he belongs. It’s a sweet, relatable story about change, adapting when things don’t go as planned, and discovering that sometimes a new purpose can be just as exciting as the old one.
And with fire engines, a little uncertainty, a clever plan, and plenty of opportunities to get kids moving along the trail, it also happens to be a great fit for a StoryWalk®, story book trail, or outdoor reading program.
Meet Snout
Snout and Captain Paulie make a pretty great team. Together, they’re the city’s go-to fire engine duo.
Then Fire Engine 75 arrives.
It’s new. It’s shiny. And suddenly, Snout is being asked to hang up his hoses.
For Snout, that change is a big one. He begins to wonder whether his days of being useful are behind him. Luckily, Captain Paulie has an idea. The question is whether Snout can embrace something different and discover a new way to shine.
Without giving away the ending, the story takes young readers through some emotions that will probably feel familiar. Kids encounter change all the time—new classrooms, new siblings, new friends, changing routines, moving to a new place, or simply realizing they’ve outgrown something they once loved.
Snout gives children a chance to explore those feelings through a character and story that are approachable and fun.
The book is geared toward ages 6–8 and first- and second-grade readers, with a 440L Lexile level, making it a particularly nice option for early and transitional readers.
from $40.00
$20.00
Why Snout Works So Well as a StoryWalk® Book
Not every children’s book translates equally well to a StoryWalk®. A good outdoor story trail needs to keep kids interested from one station to the next.
Snout has that natural forward momentum.
What happens to Snout? What is Captain Paulie’s plan? Is Snout really finished being a fire engine?
Those questions give kids a reason to keep walking to the next panel and find out what happens.
We’ve also included interactive activity prompts throughout the StoryWalk® edition. Instead of simply stopping, reading, and moving on, children have opportunities to interact with the story, get moving, and participate along the way.
That combination of reading and physical activity is one of our favorite things about StoryWalks in general. A picture book becomes an experience. Kids are outside, walking from page to page, talking about what they’re reading and wondering what they’ll discover at the next station.
For libraries, elementary schools, parks, nature centers, museums, and community organizations, it’s a simple way to bring literacy into a setting where kids may not expect to find it.
And a story about a fire engine certainly doesn’t hurt when you’re trying to catch their attention!
A Story That Can Start Bigger Conversations
One of the reasons we were excited to add Snout to our StoryWalk® book collection is that there’s more happening here than a story about fire trucks.
At its heart, Snout is about what happens when something changes and we aren't quite sure where we fit anymore.
That opens the door for parents, teachers, librarians, and caregivers to ask some interesting questions as they walk. Have you ever had to try something new? How did it feel? Can being good at something look different than you expected? What would you tell Snout if he were worried about what comes next?
Those conversations don't need to feel like a lesson. They can happen naturally as families move from panel to panel.
That's part of what makes a children's StoryWalk® such a different reading experience. There is time between pages to talk, wonder, move, laugh, and make predictions together.
Already a Kelley M Likes Fan?
Snout isn't Kelley M Likes' first book in the Read & Walk catalog.
You may already recognize her from Super Fearo the Ant Superhero, another fun StoryWalk® selection. That story follows a carpenter ant who discovers that some ordinary ant abilities feel an awful lot like superpowers. Between incredible strength, gravity-defying climbing, and a taste for sugar, Super Fearo is convinced he's superhero material.
It's a funny adventure, but it also sneaks in opportunities for kids to learn a little about the surprisingly impressive abilities of carpenter ants.
Then there's Laurel and Red, a very different story set in a magical Redwood Forest. It follows the unlikely friendship between a small Bay Laurel tree and a towering Redwood named Red. When a storm arrives, their friendship—and Laurel's roots—help demonstrate just how important standing together can be.
All three books have their own personalities. Super Fearo brings humor and a little science into the mix. Laurel and Red explores friendship, nature, and unity. And now Snout brings a story about change, resilience, and discovering a new purpose.
For organizations that rotate books throughout the year, having different types of stories can help keep a StoryWalk® fresh for returning families.
Add Snout to Your StoryWalk®
Like other selections in our Read & Walk StoryWalk® book catalog, Snout is available in formats that work for both permanent and temporary story trails.
The printed StoryWalk® version is formatted at 17" x 11" and uses 20 panels, or 21 if you choose to include the extra page. The pages are printed on thick, UV-resistant paper and are sized to fit our Read & Walk StoryWalk® signs.
For organizations that already have their own setup—or want to experiment with a temporary StoryWalk®—we also offer an affordable digital StoryWalk® option for just $20.
The digital version gives you flexibility. You can print the pages at the office for an existing display system, or have the files printed on temporary yard signs to create a pop-up StoryWalk® for a special event, school activity, library program, festival, or seasonal reading trail.
It's an easy way to turn an open lawn, walking path, school grounds, library property, or community space into an interactive reading experience.
Need the StoryWalk® Signs, Too?
If you're starting a StoryWalk® from scratch, Read & Walk also offers permanent outdoor StoryWalk® signs designed specifically to make changing books simple.
Our signs are waterproof and UV-resistant, with an enclosed design that helps keep story pages protected from water and debris. Our Swap, Lock, and Go system also makes it possible to change stories without tools, replacement sheets, backer panels, or laminated pages.
That means once your StoryWalk® is installed, you aren't limited to one story.
You can bring out Snout for one part of the year, switch to Laurel and Red for a nature-focused program, introduce kids to Super Fearo, and continue rotating through the Read & Walk book catalog to give families a reason to come back and walk the trail again.
Ready to Take a Walk with Snout?
We're excited to welcome Snout to the Read & Walk StoryWalk® collection.
It's fun enough to keep young readers wondering what happens next, thoughtful enough to start conversations about change and finding your place, and active enough to feel right at home along a walking trail.
Whether you're planning a permanent StoryWalk® at a library or park, adding a new book to an existing story book trail, or putting together a temporary StoryWalk® for an upcoming event, Snout is ready to roll.
Explore Snout in the Read & Walk StoryWalk® Book Shop and add a new adventure to your trail.