Friday 18 July 2014

A Walk in Paris by Salvatore Rubbino

Rubbino has completed three city walking books - one each in London & New York and now, his latest A Walk in Paris.

The story follows a young girl and her grandfather as they explore Paris together.

They use the metro, visit the markets, taste cheese, discuss Parisian style, stroll through gardens and admire the art and architecture.

Maps on the front and end papers help to highlight the main points of interest.

Each page also has useful little French snippets such as French words and phrases, appropriate facts and figures, a little history and a fold up Eiffel Tower at night page!

Rubbino's illustrations are very retro and reminiscent of Sasek's original great cities of the world series. (Although the content is completely up to date.) It's a friendly, easy to read travelogue dressed up in a children's picture book!

The book feels familiar and cosy to adult readers, but I know that my booklets don't like books that look old, so I'm not sure how successful this will be with younger, modern readers.


This review is part of Paris in July & Dreaming of France.

14 comments:

  1. Hello, Brona,

    First, thanks for coming over to The Marmelade Gypsy for Paris in July. I'm very late getting to fellow Paris posts, having been offline for a bit. But I'm so glad I came here first! This book looks just delightful -- I rather adore books like this with wonderful illustrations. And Paris, too! Definitely one I'll need to check out (along with London, I think!)

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    1. Thanks for popping by Jeanie.
      I've also had trouble staying on top of stuff this month - with a week away and now visitors, it's hard to find time to blog!
      Thank goodness I keep a few posts in draft standby for just such occasions :-)

      The London & NY books are just as wonderful.

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  2. I often wonder how the retro look goes down with kids- although I guess it's only older kiddies who could recognise it as such, younger kids just accept books as they are. I haven't read this one but have seen it around and thought that it looks to be based on Sasek's style. I do like how he's included little French phrases.

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  3. I quite like the retro look, and I think following grandfather and gran daughter through Paris sounds like a delightful guide book. Thanks for posting the review, and especially the images. J'aime beaucoup.

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  4. What a lovely book! I think showing it to little ones is worth a try. I bet some children would love the style... It is very colorful!

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  5. Anonymous20/7/14

    I am absolutely enchanted with your blog!

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  6. This book is so charming. I may get it for my 5-year-old niece's birthday. I'd love to share Paris with her. Here's Mine

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  7. This looks like a delightful book -- for children and adults. I hope to go to Paris someday. Before I do, I'll get this book.
    Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such a nice comment about my baby quilts.

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  8. That looks like a wonderful, and useful book. I love the style of the illustrations.

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  9. It's nice to see a book that features grandpa instead of mom or dad! Those illustrations are lovely. I wonder sometimes if the primary audience of children's books might not be the parent who is reading to the kids!

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    1. Parents (& grandparents) are certainly the primary purchasing group!!

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  10. Anonymous21/7/14

    What a fabulous looking book. I have already reserved a copy from my local library and I look forward to reading it with my granddaughter.

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  11. What a fun book -- lovely illustrations!

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