Lucy in the City: A Story About Developing Spatial Thinking Skills

When a raccoon named Lucy loses sight of her family during a nocturnal outing in the city, she retraces her steps based on memories of the food her family scavenged that night. “Owl, can you fly up high, and see where there are cookies nearby?” she asks a helpful owl, who reports that it sees a bakery “Three blocks east, and one block south.” The owl’s aerial views of the city include a compass and a dashed line that indicates the path Lucy needs to follow. As Lucy passes by landmarks she hadn’t previously noticed, she gains awareness of and appreciation for her surroundings. First-time author Dillemuth’s encouraging tone and Wood’s easygoing cartoons emphasize Lucy’s capability and independence, even in a frightening situation, and appended materials and activities invite readers to consider their own neighborhood surroundings. Ages 4–8. (Aug.)