Wake Up, City!

PreS-Gr 2—The day-to-day activities that make the world go round may be "wallpaper" for adults, but they hold a world of wonder for children. Using rhyming couplets, Silverman brings readers along on a walk to school that begins before first light, the quiet of a sleeping cat and empty park benches giving way to the bustle of a day in the city. Holding hands with her father, the young protagonist looks everywhere and sees everything. Garbage trucks and street sweepers, the pretzel cart, and the juxtaposition of a busy gym and a dark toy store are seen through fresh eyes. By the time the girl arrives at school, her curiosity has been awakened and she's ready to learn. Fournier's soft-focus digital images are well matched to the story's gentle rhythm. Useful on many levels, this title will awaken the curiosity of children who see morning mostly through the back window of a car and those lucky enough to make similar trips of their own.