LINCOLN — Believe in Books Literacy Foundation and Lincoln Public Library have teamed up to create a Storybook Trail that combines outdoor adventure with the joy of reading.

“It's always a challenge for some kids to get them reading or to get them active or do things together as a family,” said Jesse Mosston, public relations representative for Believe in Books. “Here's a great way to accomplish all of those things.”

The 2.6-mile roundtrip trail follows a paved bike path lined with sign posts containing illustrated pages from favorite children's stories.

“The walk goes along the river a little bit and through the woods, over a little bridge with a little brook running under it,” said Carol Riley, director of the Lincoln Public Library. “It's really a very nice walk.”

The Lincoln trail opened in July and is similar to the popular Storybook Trail offered at the Believe in Books 100-Acre Wood property in Intervale.

Stories at both locations are changed each week to coincide with the Children's Theater schedule at the new Jean's Playhouse of the Papermill Theater in Lincoln.

Families can read the stories and then see the play or vice versa. Upcoming stories include Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Rumpelstiltskin.

Lincoln's previous Storybook Walk was washed away in Hurricane Irene, but Riley went to the town of Lincoln for permission to use part of the bike path for the new trail.

“I think there was a need for it, something that involved activity and literacy as well,” she said. “We've gotten really good feedback that people have enjoyed it and thought it was a really great idea.”

Believe in Books' mission is to encourage reading by bringing stories to life. The Storybook Trail in Lincoln is open seven days a week at no charge and Mosston said they plan to continue the weekly stories year round.

“You'll want to do it more than once — you'll want to make a habit of it,” Mosston said.

For more information, visit www.believeinbooks.org or www.lincoln.lib.nh.us.

kgarofalo@newstote.com