Parents' Guide to When We Go Walking

When We Go Walking Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

Darienne Stewart By Darienne Stewart , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 4+

Much to treasure in girl's discoveries on family walks.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 4+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

Wendy's entire family -- even the cat -- enjoy walking together along Rambling Road in every season. Her mom totes binoculars to spot wildlife, her dad points out airplanes and leaves, and even the baby exclaims about the colors he sees. Wendy brings a bag to collect treasures: a number 5, a broken sign, a faded flag. When snow has her stuck at home, she sets to work turning her collection into an artful display.

\

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

WHEN WE GO WALKING is a sweet read-aloud book. Paint and collage illustrations are full of details for children to explore: tiny bugs on a dirt path, a sunbathing turtle on a rock, Wendy's parents enjoying a quiet moment admiring the view. The nicely paced text carries through all four seasons.

Parents will smile in recognition as Wendy's mom and dad question her: Does she really need all that stuff she's lugging home? Of course she does. And her art project finally answers the question of what to do with it all.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what they find on walks. Talk about each season and what you might find.

  • Families can also talk about collecting found items. When is it OK to take home something you find? When is it better to leave things where you found them?

  • Grab a collecting bag and head out on a walk to see what you find. When you get home, turn your found treasure into art.

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by

When We Go Walking Poster Image

What to Read Next

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate