The Path

by Pamela Paul, Qin Leng (Illustrator)

This playful yet deep picture book is a celebration of community, nature, and the magic of cooperation.

It’s a busy evening at the local park and all sorts of people are taking advantage of the precious natural space. Whether biking or rollerblading, birding or dog walking, there should be room enough for everyone . . . so why does it seem like someone else is always in the way?

Suddenly, a murmuration of starlings erupts from the treetops—one giant winged cloud swirls and spins across the sky, forcing everyone to stop and look up. And after this small, spectacular moment, the park's visitors begin to interact with a new appreciation for what nature and community add to their lives.

With watercolor illustrations full of personality, movement, and life, this special story reminds readers of all ages that we have a lot to offer each other when we widen our perspectives.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Childrens, Birds

40 pages, Hardcover

Published August 25, 2026

About the author

Pamela Paul is the editor of The New York Times Book Review and oversees books coverage at The Times. She also hosts the weekly Book Review podcast. She is the author of six books, How to Raise a Reader, co-authored with Maria Russo, My Life with Bob: Flawed Heroine Keeps Book of Books, Plot Ensues, By the Book, Parenting, Inc., Pornified, and The Starter Marriage and the Future of Matrimony. Prior to joining the Times, Paul was a contributor to Time magazine and The Economist, and her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and Vogue. Her next book, Rectangle Time, comes out in February. She and her family live in New York.

Reviews

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

A path in a busy but out-of-the-way park has a host of people trying to enjoy it. There are bicyclists, children on scooters, dog walkers, runners, a nature photographer, and a mother with a fractious baby. They all love the path, but don't necessarily enjoy sharing it. The bicyclist almost runs over the roller skater, the crying baby causes a heron to fly off so it can't be photographed, and a runner almost plows down a young couple who are discussing a possible date. Everyone is a little irritated until a cloud of birds causes everyone to stop and pause. The nature photographer tells everyone that it is a "murmuration" of birds, who are all flying together so they can take care of each other. This causes the people to interact differently; the runner encourages a little girl on a bicycle, the photographer points out an owl in a tree to some children, and the roller skater helps out the dog walker when she becomes entangled in leashes. Everyone leaves the park in a better mood now that they are not so irritated with each other.

Considering that a man inexplicably looking at two phones wandered into my side of a bike path the other day, and later there were children on eBikes just sitting across the entire route, I can certainly understand the frustration of some of the characters! Public paths are just that... public! All of the interactions are completely understandable, and a busy park is full of all kinds of activities. I'm not sure that a murmuration of birds would really cause people to stop and rethink their irritation, but it's a nice thought, and the message about building community is a good one.

The best part of this book are Leng's illustrations, which have a whispy, Quentin Blake-esque feel to them that captures the leaves and grass in the park particularly well. Many of the pages have almost comic book style panels that focus on different people or groups who are engaging in activities, but there are also two page spreads showing many people together. This difference is a great way to show the individual differences slowly dissolving and becoming more community focused. I wouldn't have thought the illustrations could add to the entire theme of the book so well, rather than just supporting the narrative, but in this book, it works.

This is a gentle picture book that might work well for younger and older readers, and might serve as a good mentor text. Add to other books that highlight the importance of both nature and community like Graham's The Concrete Garden, Marino's We All Belong, Boswell and Mostov's Go, Bikes, Go, or Muskie's Linden: A Story of a Tree.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous picture book for young readers with a much needed life lesson in belonging to a community during the times we are now living in.

All of the characters begin with their activities of bike riding, skating, running, and walking the dog. Everyone is in their own little world and think that others are always getting in their way. A surprise catches their eyes and everyone stops to look at the surprise that they see in the sky. There are a lot of questions as to what that is in the sky. It looks like a big black cloud that is moving very fast. What could it be? Everyone shares their ideas and someone offers the answer to what the big black cloud is. There is a life lesson in caring for one another when everyone discovers what the big black cloud is.

Young readers will be engaged in all of the detailed colorful illustrations. The life lesson of forming a community is a powerful lesson for young readers to learn.

ISBN 978-0-593-53219-5

[Rcltigger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I personally enjoyed this book but I question the likeability factor for its intended audience. A variety of people and animals are all walking along the same path and, through word bubbles, the reader gets a peek into what they are thinking as well as what they are saying from the mother hoping that her child will fall asleep in its stroller, to a couple of people discussing if one will be going to the football game on Friday night...which is not conversation that young children usually find enthralling. Everyone is there, doing their own thing, ignoring others and sometimes getting irritated by other people on the path. Suddenly, a murmuration of birds flies by and everyone stops what they are individually saying and thinking to all stare in wonder at this sight, which brings a sense of community to the people on the path. Overall, a lovely story for me but I'm not sure that it will hold the attention of the picture book crowd. But I do love the idea of it.

[Susan Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the most beautiful book and experience that I have enjoyed in a long time. So many other books asking the reader to share, to appreciate thy neighbor, and to enjoy nature are preachy, fake, and pedantic. This is a REAL experience that all of us go through all the time--being annoyed because we aren't alone, sharing public spaces, and resenting the presence of others. But a spectacular natural experience interrupts everyone's preoccupation with themselves and really, truly, brings them together. The text is all dialogue, which adds to its authenticity. The artwork is ... perfect.

[April M Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't give away spoilers in my reviews. Thank you to the YABC and Pamela Paul and Qin Leng for giving me a copy of The Path. I love to review children's books as well and then share them with the youth in my life.
The Path is beautifully illustrated using softer tones of bright colors, many different characters and a beautiful nature setting. The story is about all the individuals who use a path in the woods for fitness, fun, etc.
It's a sweet story to remind children that everyone has different reasons that are all important while using the same thing.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Lovely picture book about how many different people (moving in so many different ways) enjoy a path through the local forest preserve or wooded park. They are all kinda overwhelmed by the number of folks exploring the path and irritated by each other. BUT then they all see a murmuration of starlings and poof! Everyone starts cooperating and being supportive of one another. Nature wonder makes community!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

The path is perfect, but all those other people on it - so annoying! That is, until a natural event brings everyone out of their own heads and into community. Gorgeous art and a clever story told entirely in dialog, hopping from one perspective to another. The premise seems a little cheesy in theory, but in this expert execution, it's inspirational and aspirational.

[Katie Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful slice of life story about a group of people who's lives all intersect in the park one day. I appreciated the themes about sharing space together, appreciating others and collective pauses to appreciate nature. The panel formatting gives an almost comic strip feel and each character is given enough detail to see a window into their lives. Really fun!

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a clever premise, following on character's thoughts on those around them after another as they pass and encounter each other - and the natural world, which finally makes them stop, wonder, and reassess. Beautiful and perfect illustrations by Qin Leng are themselves fluid, charming and on the move. Delightful & a keeper.

[Dawn Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story showing how parks are used by so many different people!!!!! Also, a gentle reminder to be mindful/respectful of all the ways public spaces can be used. Lovely illustrations to really set the tone, and text that 'moves' with each different character.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet, beautiful art. Better as a side by side than a read aloud.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about sharing space with people and enjoy what is around is.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet picture book about sharing public places and appreciating nature.

[Awjtf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the way everyone comes together in this book!

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic picture book with a strong message.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the absolute perspective shift that a moment of calm and awe brings these busy, cranky, impatient park-goers during the middle of the book.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

When we're open to sharing the path, life can be full of wonderful discoveries!

Best quote in the book. Such a lesson....fantastic tool for youngsters learning about being flexible and kind.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one. The many characters and nature exploration reminded me of one of my favorite Gyo Fujikawa books, “Oh, What a Busy Day!”

[Squirrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet, predictable and delightful, beautifully illustrated.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have felt this way many times walking in my local park, especially when dog owners let their pets off leash. But it n it cue to see everyone eventually get along and enjoy the path and each other.

[Ashhh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly it made me tear up? So beautiful!

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a message book illustrated in panels showing various people on a path walking in a park being in a hurry, ignoring each other, being in their own space. After they all experience the same nature happening and go on the return path they are more social with each other.