THE CITY GAME: A guide for explorers

Description

“The City Game” is a unique guide to city life seen through the eyes of a child preparing for independence. 

Hugo, a seven-year-old boy, walks to school every day with his mother, Mimi. He loves these shared moments, treating them as a city game. Step by step, stop by stop, he not only discovers the rules of safe travel in the city but also learns, with his mum’s guidance, about the functions of different places and the incredible possibilities for shaping urban spaces. 

Along with Hugo, his sister Jana, and his friends, readers will uncover the secrets of the city. They will learn how to navigate challenges, understand why children’s maps differ from adults’ maps, and recognize that some worlds in the game are unique. They will also encounter adults with superpowers capable of transforming cities. 

This story, co-created with children, emphasizes that our greatest strength in overcoming obstacles comes from our relationships and connections with others. Although cities are made up of buildings and streets, it is the people who give them their meaning. 

Crumbs – discover the book

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Recommendations

Tim Gill, independent scholar and author of “Urban Playground” 

Beata Patuszyńska’s charming book invites us to see the city through the eyes of 7-year-old Hugo. Always curious, always on the lookout for what’s fun and engaging, Hugo and his family and friends share a taste for everyday life in streets, parks and neighborhoods. Their adventures speak to deep human values ​​of fairness, respect and agency. The moral of the story? Let’s create places where children can discover the stories of the city, and where the city can tell children its stories.

From Amazon

You will not be disappointed! A delightful book of wonder and discovery seen from the eye height of a child – beautifully written and illustrated. While it makes you think about what we have done to our towns and cities it is a message of fun and optimism that all children and parents will love.

From Instagram (mama_czyta_tuwima)

Let me tell you, it’s been a while since our older child first asked, “Can I go to and from school on my own?” – and yet, the emotions it stirred are still very much alive in me.

Maybe it’s because our school isn’t just around the corner – it’s over 2 kilometers away, and the route includes busy intersections. In our minds, a red light kept flashing. “But everyone else already walks on their own,” he explained. And eventually, he did too.

The book “City Game” is not a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your child for independent city travel. It’s something more. The author attempts to see the urban landscape through the eyes of young protagonists and asks how we might change it so that children can feel safe in it.

Hugo, Jana, and their mom will accompany us on these urban journeys. To make the routes more familiar and fun, they play city games along the way. These are quite simple, and you might already be inventing similar games with your kids – like counting passing cars or spotting blue umbrellas. 😉 After all, the best way to get to know and grow fond of new places is by experiencing them together with loved ones. That’s when self-confidence and independence grow more naturally.

On the other hand, this book will also make you, dear parents, realize just how little consideration is given to the needs of our youngest citizens when designing public spaces. And that’s a shame.

The illustrations might surprise you too – they have a manga-like vibe in their drawing style ☺️.

It’s an intriguing book, especially given how rare this theme is in children’s literature. It might help you prepare your kids for independently exploring their local surroundings. 💛

Book available:

ENGLISH VERSION

POLISH VERSION

Patronage

Written in the framework of the scholarship of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage

The book on the blog:

Writing a book with and for children, 13 January 2023

Meet my characters, 19 March 2023