In the city by Holly James
Illus. by Hannah Tolson. Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781526616241.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Introducing young children to the delights of
an urban environment will be enhanced using this vibrant, detailed
and fascinating book.
As the city wakes, Oscar and Lucy set off, complete with backpacks,
camera and a map. Each double page begins in the same way as they
get on the train to go into the city, or have a picnic or look at
the skyscrapers. "Let's visit the museum", for example, shows the
children exploring this cavernous place looking at the art on the
walls, the statues, the plants, the mobile and the dinosaur bones,
while the book offers questions along the bottom of the page, asking
the readers to look at something in particular. On this page the
reader is asked to count the number of artefacts spotted, a new word
being introduced.
Each double page explores the range of things to be found in that
area of a city, and children will be delighted looking at the detail
on each page, sharing with others what they have seen or would like
to see, exploring the range of city offerings together, perhaps even
planning their own trip.
My favourite page, "Let's cruise on the river", shows a small boat
cruising down river, passing a range of other craft, highlighting
the bridges, waterfront, walkways and buildings nearby. A question
directs readers to look at the other things gliding along the water,
while several words in larger font reiterate the words that are
possibly new to the reader.
The family goes shopping and takes a train and bus ride, eventually
heading for home and bed. A double page after the children have gone
to bed, has images of a number of things and asks the readers if
they were spotted, so ensuring the readers will go back and read the
story again. And I can imagine the list of things noted and pointed
out will far exceed the 22 listed at the end of the book.
Themes: Travel, Cities, Urban environment.
Fran Knight