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Overview
This playful yet deep picture book is a celebration of community, nature, and the magic of cooperation. It's a busy evening at the local park and all sorts of people are taking advantage of the precious natural space. Whether biking or rollerblading, birding or dog walking, there should be room enough for everyone . . . so why does it seem like someone else is always in the way? Suddenly, a murmuration of starlings erupts from the treetops--one giant winged cloud swirls and spins across the sky, forcing everyone to stop and look up. And after this small, spectacular moment, the park's visitors begin to interact with a new appreciation for what nature and community add to their lives. With watercolor illustrations full of personality, movement, and life, this special story reminds readers of all ages that we have a lot to offer each other when we widen our perspectives. * "A remarkably original look at the awesome power of community." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review * " An] optimism-inspiring story . . . highlighting the beauty of community formed through empathy." --Publisher's Weekly, starred review * "This slice-of-life story showcases what nature has to teach us easily frustrated humans about coexistence and community." --School Library Journal, starred review
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Details
- ISBN-13: 9780593532195
- ISBN-10: 0593532198
- Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
- Publish Date: August 2026
- Dimensions: 10.7 x 10.3 x 0.6 inches
- Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
- Page Count: 40
- Reading Level: Ages 4-8
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- 1
Ah, the park on a sunny day, where one encounters an embarrassment of riches: fresh air, beautiful trees, colorful flowers, chirpy birds and wild animals. Also enjoying the scenery are other people, sometimes too many, who might speak too loudly, speed-skate on the walking paths or have barking dogs that scare away birds. How can every person and creature coexist while ensuring everyone’s happy and having fun?
Pamela Paul, author of It Simply Can’t Be Bedtime and Rectangle Time, explores that question in her delightful new picture book, The Path. Paul lives in New York City, so she knows what it’s like to be among lots of other people—and in the Central Park-esque public space depicted in her story, she amusingly imagines what might happen when everybody gets a bit grumpy about it.
Paul’s characters range from infant to senior, together forming a noisy, busy, kaleidoscopic swirl of vibrant life. The Path’s graphic novel format and Qin Leng’s upbeat, dynamic illustrations perfectly convey the look and feel of a bustling public park; plentiful thought and speech bubbles add rich humor and context. “Now, this is what I call a dog path! All the top dogs come here,” thinks a corgi as it excitedly sniffs at a friendly Great Dane. “Let’s just stay quiet now. Staaaaying quiet,” thinks a bird-watcher as he crouches to get a closer look at a great blue heron, and then exasperatedly exclaims aloud, “Argh! Not quiet,” as an infant’s cries send the heron flapping away.
The Path’s initial daisy chain of multispecies irritation is dramatically interrupted when an unusual sight brings every creature to an astonished halt, their sharp edges softened by an awe-inspiring shared experience. Everyone joins together to marvel, to learn, to check on one another—and look at that! The park becomes a friendlier, more harmonious place with a newly heightened appreciation of nature in this humorous and uplifting celebration of kindness, community and our glorious Earth.
Ah, the park on a sunny day, where one encounters an embarrassment of riches: fresh air, beautiful trees, colorful flowers, chirpy birds and wild animals. Also enjoying the scenery are other people, sometimes too many, who might speak too loudly, speed-skate on the walking paths or have barking dogs that scare away birds. How can every person and creature coexist while ensuring everyone’s happy and having fun?
Pamela Paul, author of It Simply Can’t Be Bedtime and Rectangle Time, explores that question in her delightful new picture book, The Path. Paul lives in New York City, so she knows what it’s like to be among lots of other people—and in the Central Park-esque public space depicted in her story, she amusingly imagines what might happen when everybody gets a bit grumpy about it.
Paul’s characters range from infant to senior, together forming a noisy, busy, kaleidoscopic swirl of vibrant life. The Path’s graphic novel format and Qin Leng’s upbeat, dynamic illustrations perfectly convey the look and feel of a bustling public park; plentiful thought and speech bubbles add rich humor and context. “Now, this is what I call a dog path! All the top dogs come here,” thinks a corgi as it excitedly sniffs at a friendly Great Dane. “Let’s just stay quiet now. Staaaaying quiet,” thinks a bird-watcher as he crouches to get a closer look at a great blue heron, and then exasperatedly exclaims aloud, “Argh! Not quiet,” as an infant’s cries send the heron flapping away.
The Path’s initial daisy chain of multispecies irritation is dramatically interrupted when an unusual sight brings every creature to an astonished halt, their sharp edges softened by an awe-inspiring shared experience. Everyone joins together to marvel, to learn, to check on one another—and look at that! The park becomes a friendlier, more harmonious place with a newly heightened appreciation of nature in this humorous and uplifting celebration of kindness, community and our glorious Earth.