When we started Wandering Paris, we wanted our settings to be real places you could actually visit,  not just pretty illustrations. Every spot in the book is somewhere you can stand, taste, smell, and explore with your family (and sometimes your pup). Here are five Paris locations that made it into our pages, each with a little history and a tip for making the most of your visit. 1. Shakespeare & Company A little history: This famous English-language bookstore sits on the Left Bank, just across from Notre Dame. Over the decades, it’s welcomed literary icons like Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. In earlier years, broke artists and writers could sleep in the shop in exchange for helping out,  more than 30,000 have done so! Pro Tip: Upstairs has a cozy reading nook where kids can flip through books, and the staff are used to young browsers. Dogs are welcome if they’re calm, but be prepared for tight aisles. 2. Pont Alexandre III A little history: Built for the 1900 World’s Fair, this ornate bridge is considered one of the most beautiful in Paris. It’s adorned with golden statues, elaborate lamps, and offers sweeping views of both the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides.  Pro Tip: Visit at sunrise or sunset for fewer crowds and gorgeous family photos. The wide sidewalks make it stroller-friendly, and it’s a pleasant, scenic walk for dogs. 3. Luxembourg Gardens A little history: Created in 1612 for Marie de’ Medici, the gardens surround the French Senate and are a beloved spot for Parisians. They’re famous for their tree-lined promenades, fountains, and the model sailboats children have been pushing across the central pond for generations. Pro Tip: There’s a fantastic playground (paid entry) for kids and a vintage carousel that still uses a wooden stick game. Dogs are allowed in designated areas, so check the posted signs before you wander in with your pup. 4. Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie A little history: Europe’s largest science museum, opened in 1986, features interactive exhibits on space, light, sound, and technology. Outside, the giant mirrored sphere, La Géode, has become a modern Paris landmark. Pro Tip: The Cité des Enfants section is designed specifically for ages 2–7 and offers hands-on learning through play. Dogs aren’t allowed inside, but the surrounding Parc de la Villette is a great green space for them to stretch their legs. 5. Rue Cler A little history: This pedestrian market street near the Eiffel Tower is packed with cheese shops, bakeries, florists, and cafés. It’s been a local favorite for decades and is one of the few remaining traditional market streets in Paris. Pro Tip: Go in the morning for the best selection and lively atmosphere. Pick up picnic supplies here and enjoy them at the nearby Champ de Mars. Many shops are dog-friendly, especially bakeries, but be ready for your pup to attract attention from shopkeepers. Why These Spots Matter These locations are more than just places on a map, they’re the heartbeats of Paris, each with its own story to tell. They’ve been part of our lives, part of our research, and now, part of Wandering Paris. Whether you’re chasing kids through a garden, browsing books in a cozy corner, or picking out the perfect picnic cheese, these are the moments that turn a trip into a memory. We’d love to hear from you — which of these Paris spots would be your first stop? Or, if you’ve been before, what’s your favorite memory there? Drop your answer in the comments or share it on Instagram and tag @wanderkidbooks. We might just feature your story in our next post.  

When we started dreaming up Wandering Paris, we knew we wanted it to be a story the whole family could enjoy,  from curious toddlers to adventurous grandparents. But we also wanted something special for our littlest fans. The ones who might not follow every detail of Koda’s journey just yet, but still want to be part of the adventure. That’s how our hidden friends were born: a bright little bird and a charming snail, tucked into every single scene of the book, just waiting to be found. Why a Bird and a Snail? We picked these two because they’re universal, recognizable to young children and found in cities all over the world. The bird is curious and quick, often perched somewhere with a great view of Koda’s escapades. The snail? That’s our little nod to France (and yes, Parisian cuisine), but snails are also global travelers in their own slow-and-steady way. Together, they’re small, subtle, and perfectly able to blend into the busy Parisian scenes. Sometimes they’re watching Koda with wide-eyed surprise (like the time Koda tries escargot), and other times they’re off having their own little adventure, like peeking out from a painting in the Louvre. A Game for Every Reader Our littlest readers might not remember the names of landmarks or follow the storyline word-for-word, but they will light up when they spot the bird or snail. We’ve seen it happen: a little finger jabbing the page, a triumphant “There!” and the giddy rush to flip to the next page to hunt again. It’s the same joy we saw in our own kids when they discovered a hidden duck in one of their favorite picture books. That “find it” game became such a special part of storytime that we wanted to bring that magic into Wandering Paris. Behind the Scenes Hiding our little friends quickly became a game for us, too. As we worked with our illustrator, we’d ask: Where will they go this time? In a café window? Peeking from behind a lamppost? Tucked among the flowers on Rue Cler? Some pages made it easy. Others took some creative problem-solving. And a few had us laughing out loud when we realized just how sneaky they could be. The Challenge Is On When Wandering Paris lands in your home, we dare you to find the bird and snail in every scene. And here’s a little secret… we might have slipped them into a few especially tricky spots for our most eagle-eyed readers. Because whether it’s spotting the Eiffel Tower, learning a new word, or finding two pint-sized friends tucked into a busy city scene, we believe the joy of travel is all in the details.

If you’ve ever traveled with young kids, you know their memories aren’t built around dates and itineraries, they’re built around moments.Like chasing pigeons under a famous tower, getting a crêpe smeared across both cheeks looking like Salvador Dali, or spotting a vintage boat gliding down a river. These moments stick in their curious little minds, even if they can’t yet pronounce “Champs-Élysées.” (Then again, who can?) At Wander Kid Books, we believe real places create real memories. That’s why our stories are grounded in real cities, real landmarks, and real adventures, starting with Wandering Paris. Why Real-World Places Belong in Children’s Books We love a good fictional book as much as the next, but there’s something extra magical about a child recognizing a place they’ve actually visited (or might visit someday). Seeing the Eiffel Tower in a book after standing beneath it? Memory reinforced. Curiosity activated. Confidence boosted. That moment of recognition helps kids connect experiences to knowledge. They suddenly realize the world is bigger than their backyard, but also familiar enough to explore. Maps Build Global Awareness (Without the Passport Drama) We include maps and real geography in our books because they quietly teach kids something big: the world is full of places worth knowing. When a city is laid out on a page, it becomes less abstract. “Paris” isn’t just a word adults say when they want to drink wine, it’s a place you can actually walk through, with fountains to splash in and towers to count floors on. Bonus: It’s the sneakiest way to start a geography lesson without anyone realizing it’s educational. (You’re welcome.) Travel Memories + Books = Lasting Learning A well-told story lets kids relive the best parts of a trip long after the plane ride home. Did we plan Wandering Paris so your child could revisit their favorite moments through a four-legged guide named Koda?Absolutely. Did we also do it so you could enjoy five peaceful minutes in the airport lounge while your child traces Koda’s path with their finger and a croissant?Also yes. When books reflect places kids have been (or dream of going) they do more than entertain. They deepen understanding, build emotional connections, and make learning stick. And if that’s not magic, what is? Want to keep your little explorer engaged on your next plane, train, or automobile adventure?We’ve got just the thing. Grab the Free “Wander Kids Activity Book” Download our free Wander Kids Activity Book, a screen-free, travel-ready collection of mazes, word searches, doodle prompts, and more. Just add crayons. Download it here Whether you’re planning a trip or simply raising a globally curious kid, we hope our books become part of the way your family sees the world, one paw print at a time.