A Walk in the Woods is a very special book about how a boy finds out about his late father’s love for him. It is written in touching poetic form by Nikki Grimes with original drawings created by the late Caldecott Medalist Jerry Pinkney and brilliant watercolor paintings by his son Brian Pinkney.
The day after his father’s death the boy opens an envelope that his dad left for him. Inside there is a map of the woods near their home where they often walked together. However, the map has a large red mark that has the word “Treasure” on it. The boy decides to follow it. As he walks through the woods the boy sees many birds and animals before he comes upon an ancient water storage house used by the Mohican Nation. In the fireplace he finds a metal box which he unlocks. Inside the boy sees many drawings by his father----- surprisingly drawn, however, when his father was his age!
The colors throughout this beautiful book such as those used to bring forth the illustration of the majestic blue and white Eagle, the orange North East Red Fox and the blue and grey Great Horned Owl are not just gorgeous but also breathtaking.
A note left by the boy’s father says, “Finish my stories, or not, but this last page is for you, Son. Draw and write your own story. I’ll always be watching.”
The back materials include beautiful notes about the creation of this book from both Nikki Grimes and Brian Pinkney. There is also a self-portrait created by the late Jerry Pinkney in 2021.
A Walk in the Woods written by Nikki Grimes with original drawings by Jerry Pinkney and watercolor paintings by Brian Pinkney is a very important book for readers 5-8 years of age who are dealing with loss and the future. (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House) 2023.
The Children’s Bookshelf is a production of WCMU. Links to the podcast and the Activity Questions can be found at Children’s Bookshelf dot org.
Activity Questions for A Walk In The Woods
This book has many examples of the movement and sound of animals found in the woods. Take another look at the garter snake, the eagle, the white-tailed deer, and the great horned owl. How do each of them move and sound? Be the garter snake moving on the ground as it slithers. Be the eagle with its wings exploding and rocketing above the trees. Be the white-tailed deer as it leaps through the woods. Be the great horned owl as it hoots, flutters her wings and stares.
What do you think was the greatest gift the boy received from his late father? Draw a picture of the boy walking in the woods after he read the letter from his dad. Write a paragraph about what you think the boy will do next?
What is your favorite illustration? Why?
