Where To?

Magda Gargulakova has a degree in Art History and is a co-founder and also curator of the OFF/FORMAT gallery in Brno, Czech Republic, which exhibits and promotes contemporary progressive art, mostly by young artists. She worked for a time in marketing, but her love affair with books has been a long one. For OFF/FORMAT, she has edited and published several art publications. Since 2019, she has added to this experience as an editor of literature for very young readers at Albatros Media, using her two daughters for quality control.Tomas Kopecky is an illustrator of children's books and computer games, working as part of a creative duo with his wife Tereza. He began his career as a pixel art mobile game designer in Prague, and in 2019, he illustrated his first book, A Bug Hotel. In his free time, Tomas enjoys the countryside, mountain biking, skateboarding, board games, and – above all – spending time with his family, including his two daughters and his dog Karlik.

• Post OfficePhoto StudioMuseumHair SalonVetLibraryPolice StationObservatory

Selected for the CBC February 2025 Hot Off The Press List."PreS-Gr 4–Imported from the Czech Republic, this title features a diverse group of children who face a series of challenges and need the help of readers to solve their problems and make their way through town to find the different resources available to assist them. For example, one girl wants to get a photo taken of herself as a gift for her mother. Where should she go? Readers are given four choices: observatory, museum, police station, or photo studio. Detailed illustrations of the photo studio and its equipment follow, along with a page providing more textual information about the location. Subsequent locations include the library, police station, observatory, and the vet. The visit to the police station includes the text, “When investigators find criminals, they lock them up in a holding cell.” The idealized town and freedom of the children to roam might seem somewhat fantastical to many American readers.VERDICT An odd interactive introduction to the concept of local resources and problem-solving but not entirely relatable for the intended audience." —John Scott, School Library Journal"Neighborhoods are busy, exciting places to explore. This cheery, very colorful Czech import opens with eight racially diverse friends introducing themselves. These kids invite readers to learn more important locations in a typical community. Charles, the first friend, wants to know where to go to send a large package. Beneath, a numbered, labeled diagram-cum-map features four neighborhood locales—the library, the vet’s, the post office, and the hairdresser’s—from which readers must select the right answer. The double-page spread that follows contains detailed information, some of it historical, about the correct response: the post office. The book proceeds in a similar manner, with each friend in turn posing a “where to?” query. Along the way, readers get in-depth looks at the photo studio, the police station, and the museum. Featuring vivid, busy illustrations, this spirited book is a fun exercise in problem-solving, map reading, and becoming familiar with one’s neighborhood. Children will discover what happens in each location and what they can do when they get there. Background characters, diverse in age and race, converse in speech balloons. The final location—the observatory—also includes instructions for making a simple telescope. Readers will have lots of fun as they tour and learn new things about their communities." —Kirkus Reviews"This engaging picture book not only introduces children to the layout of a city and essential services but also empowers them with problem-solving skills. Packed with educational delights, it combines practical information with fascinating facts about community helpers and professions. Fostering confidence and independence, this playful guide encourages kids to explore their surroundings with curiosity. Where To? A Trip Around the Neighborhood promises an entertaining and educational experience, instilling a sense of capability and sparking interest in the city's intricacies. With vibrant illustrations and hidden details to discover, "Where To? A Trip Around the Neighborhood" that learning about the world around us is both fun and enlightening. Critique: A fun and informative read from start to finish, "Where To? A Trip Around the Neighborhood" is an ideal and highly recommended pick for family, elementary school, and community/public library 'community themed' picture book collections for young readers." —Midwest Book Review-Children's Bookwatch"Some locations are very familiar, but others such as the observatory might be less common, and I enjoyed the variety. The history/facts page for each site is also super informative." —Rachel Feeck, YA Books Central"This is a wonderful resource for teaching kids the use of different spaces/places in our communities and giving examples on what purposes they might need to visit such places. It gives wonderful history blurbs of each place and it's function in different countries and other fun facts. I loved getting lost in the pictures and seeing the little stories that pop up in each one. " —Watermark Books & Cafe, Bookseller