Written by award-winning local author Kate Messner and illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal, “Over and Under the Snow” takes readers on a cross country ski trip through the snow to explore the wonders of the subnivean zone — the environment between fallen snow and the ground where many animals hibernate. The scenes explored in the book are directly reflected in the environment at Cascade Welcome Center, which features 200-acres of pristine forest and wetland that can be explored via a public 12-mile trail network.

“The Lake Placid Public Library is thrilled to bring another of Kate Messner’s ‘Over and Under’ titles to local trails,” said Karen Armstrong and Bambi Pedu of the Lake Placid Public Library, in a press release. “We are excited to see families gliding over the snow at the Cascade Welcome Center, engaging with Kate’s descriptive text and Christopher Silas Neal’s distinctive artwork. ‘Over and Under the Snow’ is a book for all ages, helping both young and old slow down (even on skis) to observe, wonder, and learn about nature that’s, literally, under our feet.”

“‘Over and Under the Snow’ is all about the winter magic of exploring the outdoors, so I absolutely love the idea of families reading, observing, and wondering as they ski through the snowy woods,” Messner said.

“ADK is introducing kids and their families to the natural wonders of the Adirondacks at Cascade Welcome Center,” said Maggie Newell, ADK outreach manager. “We are so excited to partner with the Lake Placid Public Library and Kate Messner to offer this fun and interactive outdoor learning experience.”

The StoryWalk is free and open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Learn more about Cascade Welcome Center at ADK.org/cascade-welcome-center or by contacting us at cascade@adk.org.