Milo Walking

by James Howe (Author) Sakika Kikuchi (Illustrator)

Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

From James Howe, the bestselling author of Bunnicula, comes a beautiful picture book story about looking, observing, and finding wonder in the things that we walk right past every day--featuring full-color illustrations by Sakika Kikuchi.

Every morning, Milo goes walking with his mother. There are so many things to see. While Milo was sleeping, the rain left a puddle for him to find. "Hello, Milo," he says to the boy in the puddle. When Milo listens closely, he hears bees. They have a lot to say. The tree in the park looks sad today. "It's okay," Milo whispers. "I will see you tomorrow and you will be happy."

Each day is full of possibilities when Milo goes walking: new things to observe, old things to see in a new way, the magical "maybes" of his imagination--and what we might find tomorrow.

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Hardcover
$18.99

Kirkus

An enchanting invitation to go outside, take in nature…and enjoy every moment of it.

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

Curly headed Milo and his mother, both portrayed with light brown skin, walk the same neighborhood route every morning. "But what they see is never the same," writes Howe (Bunnicula). One day, a rainstorm leaves "this puddle for me to find," Milo says as he touches his reflection in it. Indeed, opportunities for quiet wonder appear everywhere (in the hum of bees pollinating a field of yellow flowers, the sound of a speckled and red-headed woodpecker, as well as the feel of a friendly dog who expresses her affection for Milo with a slobbery tongue), and perceiving them inspires in Milo generosity as well as joy. Sensing that a familiar tree "looks sad," he offers it a hug and the reassurance that "I will see you tomorrow and you will be happy." Returning home, Milo and his mom create a story about their journey entitled "Milo Walking." Kikuchi (Show Us Where You Live, Humpback) uses soft pencil and watercolor to create a subdued but warmhearted realism. Combined with the quiet text, the book celebrates a world that seems alive in every way, and is full of gifts for all who take the time to notice. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Amy Berkower, Writers House. Illustrator's agent: Jessica Saint Jean, Jill Grinberg Literary. (Nov.)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes



James Howe
James Howe wrote his first book, Bunnicula, for fun. He has tried to bring the same spirit of playfulness and discovery to all the books he has written since. These include picture books such as Brontorina and Horace and Morris But Mostly Dolores and the beginning-reader series Pinky and Rex and Houndsley and Catina. He is also the author of The Misfits and Totally Joe, as well as numerous sequels to Bunnicula. Howe lives with his husband in an old house just north of New York City.
Sakika Kikuchi is a Japanese illustrator who has loved picture books and stories since her childhood. After studying graphic design at Tama Art University in Tokyo, she worked as an in-house designer for a few years. Then she lived in the UK for two years to complete her MA in children's book illustration at the Cambridge School of Art, graduating in 2018. She now lives in Japan, where she continues drawing.
Classification
-
ISBN-13
9781419755200
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Abrams Books for Young Readers
Publication date
November 07, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV015010 - Juvenile Fiction | Health & Daily Living | Daily Activities
JUV051000 - Juvenile Fiction | Imagination & Play
JUV039090 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | New Experience
JUV029010 - Juvenile Fiction | Nature & the Natural World | Environment
Library of Congress categories
Imagination
Mothers and sons
Walking

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