Sneaky Sidekicks: A Game for Our Littlest Readers
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.