4 out of 4 stars
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Most people treat riding the subway as an activity that is second nature to them. Like walking and sleeping, subway travel has become a way of life for a lot of people; it doesn’t warrant a second thought. Landon Rides the Subway recreates the thrill and wonder of how it felt to ride the subway for the first time. The final destination of his subway ride is the Museum of Natural History, and his excitement for that gets dwarfed by the amazing atmosphere of the underground. What a fun way for children to get excited about a form of travel that most adults find dreary and routine.
As a result of the wonderful illustrations in the book, the vibe of the subway is virtually tangible. The people, the music, the lights – it was an absolute delight! I felt Landon’s sheer elation through the images and narrative – even though the text was somewhat limited, being a children’s book. I applaud Diana Perez, the author, for managing to get so much energy and enthusiasm into such a limited amount of text. With only a few lines per page (if any), she manages to clue the reader in about exactly what Landon is feeling.
The illustrations, as mentioned, are fantastic. They are colourful and full of contrasting hues that demand the reader’s attention. I love that the illustrator has given Landon a teddy bear backpack, which he dons throughout the journey. There is a part where characters from Landon’s favourite movie start to sing and dance. It doesn’t mention what movie, but the illustration clearly shows people wearing outfits from The Lion King. The relationship between the writing and the images is perfectly interdependent.
This book goes to show that riding a subway shouldn’t be just another humdrum experience. There is also nothing frightening about it – so fear is definitely not something that children should feel when the underground is concerned. The subway, ultimately, is their connection between home and all the cool places they want to visit. What fun!
I love it when I can happily give a children’s book 4 out of 4 stars. This one certainly deserves it. It has been well edited, it is educational, and I feel that children would get excited to read it. I would recommend this book to parents and teachers who read to their children, as well as children that are learning to read. The simple sentences and corresponding images make it easy to understand. This book will make children enthusiastic and ready to explore the world. What a fun ride it was!
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Landon Rides The Subway
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