Rubbino’s award winning illustrations of New York were turned in to a glorious picture book – A Walk In New York. So it was only natural that the next step would be a homage to his home town of London.
Follow a mother and daughter as they step off a double decker bus in Westminster and take a tour of London. Following a very achievable route Rubbino whisks us around this great city. It is clear Rubbino has considered what will entertain younger readers. A quirky sub-plot involves a mysterious and rather official looking black car that pops up along the route.
Far from being a stuffy guide this picture book exudes vitality and enthusiasm on every page. I love that nestled amongst the obligatory sites of Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London are gems such as the vibrant Covent Gardens followed by the hustle and bustle of Drury Lane. The nod to the rain made us chuckle,
“London is Europe’s third rainiest city.”
… alongside the advice to use a telephone box for shelter if you’ve forgotten your umbrella.
Bold font continues the story across each double page. Nestled amongst the images are smaller paragraphs containing extra snippets of information creating an intriguing guide to London.
Layers of detail contribute to a sense of vibrancy and life in Rubbino’s home town. A Walk In London finishes with a grand finale – a fabulous fold out section featuring The Thames.
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