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When We Go Walking
Wendy and her exuberant family of walkers discover new things on Rambling Road every day in all kinds of weather. No one keeps the things they find except for numbers and letters, ribbon and string, a bucket, a ball, a wheel from a wagon. But what will she do with all this stuff? One snowy day when no one can go walking, Wendy uses her treasure trove of found objects to create her own special version of Rambling Road for her family to share and celebrate. Full of surprises on every page, this is a book that will inspire young readers to walk, discover and create on their own.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 23, 2013
13 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Cari Best
30 books27 followersCari Best has written many award-winning picture books, including Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, and My Three Best Friends and Me, described by the New York Times as “refreshing” and “exciting.” Her most recent picture book is If I Could Drive, Mama, was described by Publishers Weekly as “a wonderful tribute to an imagination in perpetual motion.” In the Country of Queens is her first novel. Ms. Best lives in Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 4, 2024
A Walk Down Rambling Road
My lovely granddaughters, ages 8 and 4, will be making an all-too-infrequent visit to see me next week in Washington, D.C. I took the opportunity the Vine program offered to find some suitable children's books we could read together and that I could review here as well.
This book, "When we go Walking" appealed to me because I have always been an inveterate walker on the city streets. Besides the usual trips to the Washington Mall, the National Zoo and the like, perhaps my granddaughters and I will take the opportunity to walk some local streets inspired by this book. My impression is that they have little opportunity to do so in their suburban home.
This book tells the story of a family that takes frequent walks together on a street known as Rambling Road. The narrator of the story is Wendy, a girl of 5. She walks Rambling Road with her father, mother, baby brother Abe, and the family cat. As they walk from season to season, each family member points out the many varied sights and objects along the way. Young Wendy is already an avid collector and pack-rat. She picks up interesting objects along the way, puts them in a bag, and takes them home.
The story is by children's book author Cari Best who is herself an avid walker. Krysten Brooker did the delightful brightly-colored illustrations. The language of the book is simple and the story is fun. Children will enjoy the walks and the opportunity to identify and point out the many things Wendy and her family encounter on their way.
The book is suitable for children in the 4-8 age range, with a tilt towards the younger part of the spectrum. My 8-year old granddaughter will be able to easily read this book for herself and she will enjoy, I think, reading to her sister. This book will be good to share during our visit. I am hoping grandfather, granddaughters, and mother and dad can enjoy at least a few walks along the streets of the city.
Robin Friedman
My lovely granddaughters, ages 8 and 4, will be making an all-too-infrequent visit to see me next week in Washington, D.C. I took the opportunity the Vine program offered to find some suitable children's books we could read together and that I could review here as well.
This book, "When we go Walking" appealed to me because I have always been an inveterate walker on the city streets. Besides the usual trips to the Washington Mall, the National Zoo and the like, perhaps my granddaughters and I will take the opportunity to walk some local streets inspired by this book. My impression is that they have little opportunity to do so in their suburban home.
This book tells the story of a family that takes frequent walks together on a street known as Rambling Road. The narrator of the story is Wendy, a girl of 5. She walks Rambling Road with her father, mother, baby brother Abe, and the family cat. As they walk from season to season, each family member points out the many varied sights and objects along the way. Young Wendy is already an avid collector and pack-rat. She picks up interesting objects along the way, puts them in a bag, and takes them home.
The story is by children's book author Cari Best who is herself an avid walker. Krysten Brooker did the delightful brightly-colored illustrations. The language of the book is simple and the story is fun. Children will enjoy the walks and the opportunity to identify and point out the many things Wendy and her family encounter on their way.
The book is suitable for children in the 4-8 age range, with a tilt towards the younger part of the spectrum. My 8-year old granddaughter will be able to easily read this book for herself and she will enjoy, I think, reading to her sister. This book will be good to share during our visit. I am hoping grandfather, granddaughters, and mother and dad can enjoy at least a few walks along the streets of the city.
Robin Friedman
August 3, 2024
A sweet picture book about a family, and their cat, walking through the seasons on "Rambling Road". Wendy, the 5-yr-old telling the story carries a collecting bag to which she adds found treasures on each ramble. At one point her mama asks, "Do you really need that?" to which Wendy replies, "I really do." I won't spoil the surprise that comes of Wendy's collection.
The themes of discovery and support for following individual passions are explored. I loved that the family goes together on these regular walks through the neighbourhood, noticing what is around them on each expedition. It is a lovely message of being together, going outside and being present to the joys of this frequent ritual.
Kyrsten Brooker's illustrations are marvellous collages that offer a rich detailed setting and much for the reader to examine on repeated readings. They are a perfect pairing with the text.
The themes of discovery and support for following individual passions are explored. I loved that the family goes together on these regular walks through the neighbourhood, noticing what is around them on each expedition. It is a lovely message of being together, going outside and being present to the joys of this frequent ritual.
Kyrsten Brooker's illustrations are marvellous collages that offer a rich detailed setting and much for the reader to examine on repeated readings. They are a perfect pairing with the text.
January 29, 2019
Very cute
It was just the right style to keep my three year old's attention. The pictures came through well, even though I read this on my phone. What the character finds while walking are all things interesting and wonderful. And I talked to my son about taking a 'collecting bag' on our next walk. I can't wait to see what catches his attention.
It was just the right style to keep my three year old's attention. The pictures came through well, even though I read this on my phone. What the character finds while walking are all things interesting and wonderful. And I talked to my son about taking a 'collecting bag' on our next walk. I can't wait to see what catches his attention.
April 7, 2019
Great book
We read this book and it shows that not individual creativity is ok but that it’s okay. My granddaughter is a lot like this little girl. Always picking up stuff to made something else that only she can see .
We read this book and it shows that not individual creativity is ok but that it’s okay. My granddaughter is a lot like this little girl. Always picking up stuff to made something else that only she can see .
November 4, 2023
This book was okay. The family goes out walking a lot, and the girl collects all kinds of stuff. We go for walks a lot, so I do appreciate the walking, but I didn't think much of the plot. The pictures with the mixed media were kind of interesting to look at.
May 3, 2020
what a family friendly fun read!! I wanna go walking ...what a sweet read. loved it. great illustrations. so fun!!
June 29, 2021
Storytime in the Parks - June 29, 2021
Great book about finding treasures while walking through the neighborhood.
Great book about finding treasures while walking through the neighborhood.
May 15, 2013
Follow a family on their nature walks and see what can be made out of the many tresures they find.
This book has a great family at the center of it and they are spending quality time together interacting with nature, but the pacing is strange and the treasures don't amount to a fantastically wonderful necessary thing, which is what I was expecting.
Illustrations were rendered in oil paint and collage. I really enjoyed the collage aspect of the artwork. It gives readers a feast for the eyes as little treasures can be found in the textures and clippings used.
This book has a great family at the center of it and they are spending quality time together interacting with nature, but the pacing is strange and the treasures don't amount to a fantastically wonderful necessary thing, which is what I was expecting.
Illustrations were rendered in oil paint and collage. I really enjoyed the collage aspect of the artwork. It gives readers a feast for the eyes as little treasures can be found in the textures and clippings used.
February 13, 2015
The text of this title is a bit awkward and lengthy. However, the concept of the family taking a walk in all four seasons and actually looking at what is in their surroundings is wonderful which is way the title receives four stars. And it is each of the four family members who are looking that the objects or scenery that interests them and sharing with the others makes this really good. As I read and looked at the illustrations I kept thinking this must be an English when in reality the illustrator is from Canada. Enjoyable.
August 26, 2013
This is such a joyful and uplifting book with wonderful illustrations. However my neatnik compulsion comes through as I am reading wondering where is all of the items being collected by Wendy going to end up - can you say "hoarder"?? This reminds to me too much of my mother-in-law. If you can ignore that idea while reading this book, it is nice family book.
September 26, 2013
The rhythm of the text is somehow awkward, but I love the concepts. And as the seasons change, there is lots to look at and talk about in the pictures. This might inspire art projects with "found" objects, and perhaps even family walks to discover new things in the neighborhood.
November 7, 2013
A family goes on walks throughout the seasons and the daughter collects things as they go. Then come winter when it is too cold to go outside the girl uses the things she has collected to recreate the road in her room and allow her family to have the same experience as when they are out walking.
January 15, 2014
Neat book about a strolling family noticing things in their environment while the little girl collects found objects and eventually creates cool interactive art. (I think "On Rambling Road" would be a more distinctive title.)
May 20, 2013
eh. neat collage-y pictures. family exploring and walking, too long to read in storytime. kinda underwhelming.
July 23, 2013
Fun extension activity ideas.
August 19, 2013
I was hoping for something more remarkable to come of all the protagonist's collecting. Might work for an Earth Day request.
August 13, 2016
Enjoyed by 2-3 4 year old grandkids. Nice story of family taking a walk together in all seasons. I appreciate family oriented books.
July 29, 2014
It reminded me of the things I used to collect as a kid.. But I am not sure I enjoyed the way it was written.
August 14, 2016
Love recycling stories!
July 13, 2014
A great little book about the treasures you can find when you go for a walk!
July 15, 2014
When the family goes on their daily walks, they each find different treasures to appreciate along the way.
November 27, 2015
This picture book is a really great idea that fall apart in the execution. Maybe it collapses under the weight of its quirkiness?
August 20, 2016
Cute book!!!!
We enjoyed reading this book at bedtime. Maybe we can find our own Rambling Road ! ! ! ! !
We enjoyed reading this book at bedtime. Maybe we can find our own Rambling Road ! ! ! ! !
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews