Reading Rocks Colusa County is a project of the Colusa County Free Library to inspire people of all ages to read and share stories. Building on the popularity of rock painting, community members are encouraged to decorate rocks with pictures and words related to stories, books, poems, and love of reading.
Reading Rocks kicks off the week of Jan. 17, with rock painting at the library branches, and will continue through February.
“Our hope is people will continue to be moved to tell stories, read, and share as long as the rocks are there to be found,” said Literacy Coordinator Pam DaGrossa.
DaGrossa added that children and adults may take a found rock home to read it a book or tell it a story. They can replace that rock with a rock of their own design, keep the rock for continued inspiration, or return it to the same location or another within the community.
“A painted rock is a non-judging listener to which children can read. Seeing an image or word might remind a stressed passer-by about a poem they then recite.,” DaGrossa said. “The purpose of the project is to bring some joy – joy associated with reading and language – to our communities, and to build connections between people.”
The libraries will host Reading Rocks painting events at each library branch: Williams (Tuesday, Jan. 18, 3:30-5 PM), Arbuckle (Wednesday, Jan. 19, 1:30-3 PM), Maxwell (Wednesday, Jan. 19, 4-5:30 PM), Colusa (Thursday, Jan. 20, 3:30-5 PM), Grimes (Thursday, Jan. 20, 4-5:30 PM), Stonyford (Friday, Jan. 21, 12:30-2 PM), and Princeton (during the elementary after school program).
The libraries will provide rocks, paint, and brushes at the events and through February, rocks will be available during normal library hours to take home, decorate, read to, and place in the community.
“Reading rocks are a reminder that within our community, we have hundreds of stories waiting to be told,” said Youth Services Coordinator Gaby Silva. “As you walk your neighborhood, keep an eye out for hand-painted Reading Rocks.” ■
