WE GO SLOW

A multigenerational morning walk reveals small delights in a bustling neighborhood.

A peek into a lively household reveals two serene residents, a lanky elder and a child (both brown-skinned), enjoying “fresh bread, nutmeg & coffee smells” in the wake of others’ departure. The morning beckons, and the pair set off down the front steps into “palms of light that wave us outside.” They aren’t in a rush, though. “Outside, we go slow, learn a yellow bird’s song & a new neighbor’s name.” The urban setting offers constant pleasures in all directions, from birds pecking near a sewer cover to shoes dangling from power lines. Taking time to savor a snack, to take in the wares at an outdoor market, and to appreciate a busker, they wend their way through vibrant streets. They “admire a bouquet of colors in bloom” at a flower stall and “cheer artists draping a brick wall in dreams” as they “follow the fading light” before finally returning home. A mix of spot artwork and full-page spreads in violet undertones keeps the focus on the duo and their discoveries, while Tallie’s unexpected word combinations like “a shy sunflower” and “a squiggly rainbow” help sustain a childlike wonder and evoke pleasing imagery bolstered by Caldecott Medalist Becker’s rough-edged, slightly unfinished watercolor and colored pencil depictions.

A mindful pick for urban amblers.