Excerpted from the Spring/Summer 2024 issue of Chapters, opens a new window
Let imaginations run wild, and stories sprout in the newly unveiled "Allie's Kids Space" at the Silverdale library.
The roots of the delightful area were carefully cultivated into existence after the new branch opened two years ago.
When the new Silverdale library opened, it was the realization of a decades-long dream. Through nearly 30 years of work, donors gave generously and made the dream a reality when the doors of the new branch opened in 2022.
A cornerstone of the community and a key part of Central Kitsap High School's campus, the library welcomes all. Recently, the kids' space was transformed into a word wilderness in honor of one special gift from an anonymous visionary who generously contributed to the fundraising effort to open the new Silverdale library.
The new space celebrates the memory of the donor's cherished friend, Alison "Allie" Cragin Herzig. Herzig was an award-winning children's and young adult fiction author, as well as a beloved wife and mother.
Working with the donor, Kitsap Regional Library and Kitsap Regional Library Foundation enhanced the children's area, creating a forest of hidden words and animals for reading, discovery, and play.
Finished in December, families are already enjoying Allie's Kids Space, featuring a woodsy wonderland design inspired by her work, with one parent sharing, "It's exciting to see such a unique and captivating approach to promoting literacy and learning."
The word and animal search in the area took inspiration from Allie's book, "A Word to the Wise," co-authored with J.L. Mall in 1978.
This book illustrates the transformative power of words and learning, encouraging children to advocate for change and find joy in learning.
"The artwork creates a playful environment that encourages exploration and compliments the outdoor education programs our community loves," Youth Services Library Aleah Jurnecka said.
"The installation of the 'Forest of Words' in the Silverdale kids' space is truly enchanting," said Silverdale Branch Manager Ana Cuprill Comas. "It's a delightful and creative approach to fostering a love for language and literature in our kids. The installation not only adds visual appeal but also inspires curiosity and cultivates a love for language and storytelling."
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