Follow Granite, an Alaskan sled dog, on a StoryWalk through Chappaqua

March 5, 2010
by Susie Pender

The fourth installment of StoryWalk, presented by the New Castle Recreation and Parks in partnership with the Chappaqua Library, begins today in downtown Chappaqua. The walk features the popular children’s book, “Granite,” a story about an Alaska sled dog written by Susan Butcher, a four-time winner of the 1000-mile Iditarod dog sled race, and her husband, David Monson, and illustrated by Sarah Douglas.

From March 5 through April 15, copies of each page of the book “Granite” will be posted along the StoryWalk route. The route starts at New Castle Town Hall, heads north on South Greeley Avenue through the business district, returns south on

Greeley Avenue, and ends at the Chappaqua Library. 

Merchants in downtown Chappaqua have volunteered to supply space in their windows for this activity. “StoryWalk helps build children’s interest in reading while encouraging

healthy outdoor activity for both adults and children,” suggested Assistant

Recreation Superintendent Wayne Bass.

Susan Butcher was a four-time champion of the Iditarod Trail sled dog race.

Granite was her greatest lead dog. Although he began his life as a shy, scraggly pup that the other dogs pushed around, Susan saw his potential to lead. They worked together to make him leader of the team. 

While they were training for the Iditarod, Granite became gravely ill, but he recovered sufficiently by the time of the race to lead the team. Susan and Granite and her dogs were leading in the race when they were caught in a raging blizzard. Everyone was depending on Granite to save them and bring them safely through the storm. 

Walk the Storywalk and find out what happens.