Overview and Outcomes:

This is a three-week Writing Root for A Walk in London by Salvatore Rubbino. The sequence of learning begins with children discovering a suitcase in the classroom with some brochures and souvenirs from London. Can the children guess which city their teacher has walked around recently? Children go on to think about the importance of walking and, after discovering a letter from the author, write posters persuading their community to walk more. Children also write instructions about how to best prepare for going on a long walk. After children use the book to write about a pretend day in London, they plan a walk around the landmarks of their local area. Children go on the walk and write about this experience. They also can research facts and record these about the landmarks they visit. These outcomes build towards them writing their own A Walk in… guide or brochure for their local area to persuade people to come and visit.

Synopsis of Text:

London - the perfect place for a girl and her mother to spend the day! Follow them as they board the classic red bus and begin a whirlwind tour of some of London's most iconic landmarks. Try to climb the awe-inspiring lions at Trafalgar Square, take in the ritualistic Changing of the Guard, experience the whispering gallery at St Paul's and - if you're lucky - you may even spot the Queen! In this paean to Britain's bright and bustling capital city, Salvatore Rubbino's fresh, lively paintings and breezy text capture the delight of a young visitor experiencing the wonders of London first-hand. And of course, what's London without a little rain?

Text Rationale:

This is a fantastic book to explore London with children and open their eyes to the various landmarks in the capital. It also models non-fiction writing, factual language as well as the more personal language of a diary entry. Salvatore Rubbino’s illustrations are colourful and bring the city to life. Children can also read A Walk in New York or A Walk in Paris to continue their city adventures.

Links and themes:

London, local area, tourism, history, travel, geography, non-fiction and language of recount

Date written: September 2013

Updated: May 2023