Mr. Walker Steps Out

by Lisa Graff, Christophe Jacques (Illustrator)

Mr. Walker, the human-shaped figure who lives in the traffic signal box and tells pedestrians when it is safe to cross the street, decides to leave his post and experience all that he has been missing, in this sweet and satisfying tale about finding one's place in the world.

Mr. Walker works hard. Every day, he stands in the window of his boxy little house on the corner of Broadway and Main, letting people know when it's safe to cross the street. Usually that is enough. But after a while, watching the world go by without him makes him feel small and unimportant. So he decides to jump down from his box and experience for himself all the wonderful things he’s seen from his post. With each new adventure, he feels bigger and more important. But after enjoying all the wonderful things that the city has to offer, he starts to wonder how his little corner is getting on without him. Then something happens . . . something big. And Mr. Walker wonders if it might be time to go home, to where he's needed most.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Adventure, Fantasy, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 31, 2021

About the author

Lisa Graff is the critically acclaimed and award-winning author of the National Book Award nominee A Tangle of Knots, as well as Lost in the Sun, Absolutely Almost, Double Dog Dare, Umbrella Summer, The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower, The Thing About Georgie and Sophie Simon Solves Them All. Originally from California, she lived for many years in New York City and now makes her home just outside of Philadelphia.

Reviews

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Walker, the hard-working figure that lets pedestrians know when it's safe to walk, has a serious case of FOMO (fear of missing out) as he watches the people go by, day after day. He decides to put up the red hand to keep everyone safe while he jumps out and experiences life for himself - just for a little while! He enjoys himself, having his own little adventure, until he realizes that what he does is really important, and heads back home where he's needed.


Lisa Graff gives us a sweet story both about street safety and about embracing a little adventure - but remembering that we all have important things to go back to, whether it's work or school! Christophe Jacques' adorable digital illustrations give life to the story

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr. Walker, the figure who lives in a little box, and tell people when it's safe to cross the street decides to leave his box for a while to find out what else happens in the world. What Mr. Walker discovers is that although lots of different things occur, his position in life is very important, as he witnesses life on his corner without him.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr. Walker is a charming, childlike, human-shaped figure who lives in the traffic signal box and tells pedestrians when it is safe to cross the street. One day he decides to leave his post and experiences all that he has been missing.

[Lindley Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by Lisa Graff allows you to live in the mind of the human-shaped figure that lives in the crosswalk signal box. It allows you to better appreciate its function and daily importance. The underlying message of this book is street and crosswalk safety rules as well as its importance and the consequences that could happen if not followed. While everyone wants have a purpose and feel needed, Mr. Walker needed to go out and explore the world instead of just watch it from above.
This book has great illustrations that followed a chronological order of Mr. Walkers life and adventures. The illustrations matched the words and story line perfectly and made it easy to read and create a mental image of the emotions Mr. Walker was probably feeling.

I can see myself using this book in therapy to teach life skills and pragmatics. Teaching a child how to cross the street is an important task and life skill for learning independence as well as teaching that everyone has an important role to play in this world. This book could be used to discuss job importance and personal fulfillment.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: Preschool-Kindergarten
Things that go: Pedestrian walk sign

Watch the walk sign and he'll tell you when to go and when to stop. But what if he gets the urge to go?

A charming, childlike thought about what the walk sign figurine would do if he were given the opportunity to leave and explore the city. Graff takes this concept a bit further by examining what it means to go an adventure, to grow, and then to come back with those changes and still fit happily, albeit differently, into your life before.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! It is different and original and it has a great story. The pictures show the diverse peoples and cultures of New York City where the story is based. I thought Mr Walker's stepping out of his familiar comfort zone and out into the world was refreshing. So many children suffer from anxiety today. I think stories like this might help them step out of their comfort zones too.

[Kate -MontglaneChess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely lovely! It was a nice metaphor for growing as a person and coming home. I also loved the artwork and how casually diverse the background characters are.

[SamSamSam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyday diversity, PLAY

[Suebee · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Runaway Signs” by Joan Holub is a picture book done better with a similar concept.

[Camille · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr. Walker, the white figure in the walk sign on a NYC corner, steps out of the sign to do the wonderful things he sees other people doing. Will he enjoy the outside world and his new freedom?
If you or someone you know needs to be talked out of quitting a job because you’re bored, over it or just want to try something new, this book offers a gentle push back from the ledge!
Written in a mostly spare, but engaging style with illustrations that evoke mid-century children’s literature. I enjoyed this book and would pair it with Hey,Al, Cicada or, if you really want to get into some deep thinking, The Bear Who Wanted to be a Bear.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Walker is the little guy in the traffic signal box who lights up when it's safe to walk. He doesn't feel like he's doing anything special so he decides to step out for a while to see what's going on. This is a fun story with a gentle reminder that seemingly little things that we take for granted can be very important and also that everyone can use a vacation. A good book to use when reviewing traffic safety. Pair with Caution! Road Signs Ahead by Toni Buzzeo and Go! Go! Go! Stop! by Charise Mericle Harper.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an imaginative tale about the secret desires and adventures of the little man who manages the crosswalk signal! Yet the characterization of Mr. Walker is also a bit creepy. The illustrations would suggest that he is a ghost or possibly an alien, which is rather disconcerting. I would rather he tell us about his fascinating world from the window of his boxy little house on the corner of Broadway and Main rather than chance meeting this pasty fellow on a beach in Miami.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr. Walker lives in his box at Main and Broadway and signals when it's safe to cross. In his box, he can see a lot of fun things happening below, so he leaves one day. When something big happens at his intersection, he realizes his work is important. A funny book to read when you are talking about street safety with little ones.

[Heather McC · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fun cover drew me to the book, and as an active walker, I wanted to know more about the character of 'Mr. Walker' who works at a very busy intersection and keeps people safe. When Mr. Walker decides to step outside of his box and enjoy New York, he sees just how important his job is to the community.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an eARC courtesy of Clarion Books via Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.

Unique, but not as amazing as I expected. Great illustrations with a lot of diversity represented in the pages.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is from the point of view of the walker in the street signal sign. And his journey to see the world by leaving his box home. But his job to keep the pedestrians safe compels him to go back. A new perspective for him is shown.

[Claire Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would happen if the walk sign in a crosswalk stepped out? This picture book follows Mr. Walker as he explores New York City outside of his little box. He has a great time seeing the sights and trying new things, but he eventually decides that he likes his home and goes back to it.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Kelly]

I liked it the first read through but then thinking about it, I thought it was weird. Oh well, there's a market for originality, isn't there?

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Abby Johnson]

Fun enough, especially if you have a little who notices the little walk signals at crosswalks. Pair it with Runaway Signs by Joan Holub.

[Linda Atkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars and who can't relate to wanting to get out one's home once in a while.

[Brian · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is anti-working class.

[Awjtf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting!

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 year old liked it too.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would be fun to read with a "what if...." theme in mind.
What if the icon from a sign came to life?
Pair with "Sign Off" by Stephen Savage.

[Melissa the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was weird. What happened when he was gone? Did the street fall apart? Unclear.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks Bethany

[Lillian Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every job is important!

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book but it didn't really click for me. Probably not helped by the children not being interested when I read it to them.