A Walk in London

This is a simply wonderful introduction for children to one of the world’s most vibrant cities. The large format makes for some dramatic double spreads of iconic landmarks, for example of Westminster, St James’s Park, the Changing of the Guard, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London. Then, near the end, flaps are opened to reveal a panorama of the journey.

The journey through the capital by bus and by foot of a young girl and her mother is shown in dynamic and colourful pictures conveying the flavour and character of the city. We have the broad sweep of the urban and river landscapes, but also the detail that makes the day so interesting: the woman scrutinising a map of London, the people perched on the lions in Trafalgar Square, the baby in the pushchair fascinated by the jugglers in Covent Garden, and the man escaping into a telephone box to avoid the rain. There is so much to absorb and talk about and this would be a splendid book to read before a London visit or to savour the experiences afterwards. It would also be a good starting point for learning about the history of London, for example about the role of the Bank of England. This would be an excellent addition to the school library or make a welcome gift.