For me, wandering through the aisles of a bookstore’s children’s section is pure joy. I love stepping back into childhood, putting myself in my little guy’s shoes, and imagining what’s going through his mind as he flips through the pages and takes in all those beautiful pictures! Plus, with so many options available, there’s no reason not to introduce our beloved little ones to the wonderful world of books at a very early age.
My discovery from the past few weeks: the book *Metropolis* by Benoit Tardif. For someone like me who’s totally into traveling, instilling in my little ones a desire to discover the world—and helping them develop their curiosity and open-mindedness—is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL! And all of this is accompanied by illustrations that are simply magnificent, colorful, and a bit naive… In short, they fit perfectly with the world of our little treasures. WOW, WOW, and WOW again!
Inside the cover, there’s a world map marking the 64 major cities that we’ll explore in more detail throughout the book. For each of these cities, we learn about the population, the official languages, and the country where it’s located. Then comes a wealth of information to explore, from the local cuisine to famous landmarks, animals, modes of transportation, and everything in between. There’s just one downside: you’ll want to visit them all, which could really take a toll on your wallet. #ouch
This book is now an integral part of our bedtime routine. Every night, my little guy picks five cities on the map that we look at together. He pretends to taste the exotic dishes he sees on each page. I point out and name the things we’re looking at. Of course, my pronunciation of the Popocatepetl volcano and the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple is pretty questionable, and that leads to the best laughs EVER.
Hours of fun and discovery await your future travelers, whether they’re rookie readers or seasoned bookworms. And for those who fall under its spell like I did, there’s also *Sportorama* by the same author, which beautifully illustrates the world of sports… Just perfect for keeping restless kids in one spot. In short, it was love at first sight; I’m hoping there will be plenty more to fill my bookshelf… uh, oops, my son’s!!
- Joëlle Burelle