Sleeping Bear Press, 2019 |
The story opens with an invitation to the pair (and Lulu's friend Pufferton, a penguin) to visit Milwaukee. They meet doorman Norman at the luxurious landmark Pfister Hotel, then spend three days exploring iconic locations in MIlwaukee's city center.
The characters are all delightfully humanized animals, each more charming than the next, but the sites featured reveal kids-eye-views of some of the best year-round attractions this city has to offer. The text is direct but not simplistic, and Norman's comments offer some fun examples of figurative language from an earlier generation.
The level of detail is "just right" for young readers, with informative labels and enough color and side details to spark curiosity and develop an appetite for exploration.
This lively pair (and observant penguin) cover a great deal of territory in a short amount of time, which happens on vacations, right?
Out-of-towners with kids would do well to spend some time with this book prior to a visit and encourage the young ones to state a preference for side trips. Most won't be able to stay at the Pfister, but it does offer tours, including stories about ghostly residents! Back matter provides accessible details about various high points and icons visited throughout the story.
Once families get their hands on this book the adults will be as enthused about visiting Milwaukee as the kids will be. In fact, I encourage classroom teachers and local families to check it out, too. I'm sadly aware from leading school field trips (for many ages) that there are thousands of people living within a few miles who rarely visit downtown and are unaware of its many treasures.
Milwaukee offers something for everyone in every neighborhood and district. Summer isn't the only time to explore the city, but it does offer an ideal opportunity to get to know it better, or for the first time.
And there's no better souvenir (or gift of any kind) than picture books!
Thank you for the wonderful review, Sandy! You are so right, author, Barb Joosse and I just got back from a research trip to Nashville and we had so much fun! I just finished the art for Lulu and Rocky last week. Milwaukee will always be our favorite though! ;)
ReplyDeleteRenee, thanks for popping in to comment! I enjoy this book every time I read it and picturing you two cruising Nashville has me grinning. I wonder if Pufferson got boots or a cowboy hat? Can't wait to read that one.
What an amazing review! Thanks, Sandy! We loved highlighting our favorite city in this book.
ReplyDeleteJust keep that in mind s your tours continue. Milwaukee will always welcome you home!
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