A Walk in New York
A Walk In... Series
on Goodreads (235)
What’s inside...
A wide-eyed boy and his dad explore the Big Apple’s busy streets and towering views in this child-friendly tribute to an incomparable city. New York City — the perfect place for a boy and his dad to spend the day! Follow them on their walk around Manhattan, from Grand Central Terminal to the top of the Empire State Building, from Greenwich Village to the Statue of Liberty, learning lots of facts and trivia along the way. In this unabashed ode to America’s biggest city, Salvatore Rubbino’s fresh, lively paintings and breezy text capture the delight of a young visitor experiencing the wonders of New York firsthand. Back matter includes an index. “An intriguing snapshot of the Big Apple, sure to delight New York City residents, tourists, and would-be visitors.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
37 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite part of New York City that we saw in the book and why?
How do you think it would feel to visit a big city like New York for the first time?
Can you name some differences and similarities between where we live and New York City?
What new things would you like to learn or explore about New York after reading this book?
If you could meet anyone from the book, who would it be and what would you ask them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the bustling energy of New York City to life during storytelling.
After reading, explore online resources or videos about New York City to visually reinforce what was read in the book.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite scene from the book, discussing the elements that made it memorable.
Connect the story to personal experiences or plans, such as a family trip to a city, to make the discussion more relatable and engaging.
Ask open-ended questions that urge the child to think critically and imagine themselves within the story’s setting.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Exploration and curiosity
Explanation: The book follows a boy and his father as they explore the sights and sounds of New York, showcasing the value of discovering new environments and learning directly from them.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to explore their own cities or neighborhoods, discovering history and unique aspects of their surroundings, fostering a natural curiosity and love for learning.
Example Lesson: Appreciation for diversity
Explanation: New York's vibrant scenes are filled with diverse cultures, people, and activities that are different yet harmonious, teaching children the beauty of diversity.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to appreciate and respect people from different backgrounds they encounter in their own communities, understanding that diversity enriches our experiences.
Example Lesson: Historical knowledge
Explanation: As the characters visit landmarks such as the Empire State Building and Central Park, the book integrates historical facts that provide a deeper understanding of each site.
Real-World Application: Children can be inspired to learn more about the history of their own locale or other places, seeing history not just as facts to memorize but as stories connected to real places.
Example Lesson: Bonding through shared experiences
Explanation: The journey of the father and son in the book highlights the importance of shared experiences in strengthening familial bonds.
Real-World Application: Parents and children can engage in outings or plan visits to local sites together, using these experiences to build stronger relationships and create lasting memories.
Example Lesson: Navigational skills
Explanation: The book depicts the use of a map to navigate around the city, subtly teaching children about geography and orientation.
Real-World Application: Children can practice using maps during family trips or even in everyday situations, enhancing their spatial thinking and problem-solving skills.