Smalltown City and the Spirit of City Hall
Complemented by charming illustrations, Smalltown City and the Spirit of City Hall is Nancy Pearson’s illuminating chapter book about an edifying field trip that continues through a terrifying storm.
Though they don’t know it when they set out, the students of Lenn, a personified third grade classroom in Smalltown City, are about to have a “day to remember.” Element of their adventures were planned in advance: they go out the school door and around the pond, headed to city hall to learn all about how their town operates at the level of city planners, managers, and janitors. But they and their teacher did not anticipate a storm hitting town. The resultant issues, including power outages and a blocked bridge, put the adults’ safety in danger and the students’ classroom (and their class pet, Squeakers) in the path of a flood.
Lenn’s students are an intrepid bunch, and the book exalts their individual talents. One is an excellent artist; one has a dog that smells diseases; one makes up fun songs and loves to read. Together, they maintain cheer through their tour of city hall, learning about past town heroes and about how keeping cities running is a bit like a game.
Dangers are apparent in the background of the field trip, and a mystery is suggested by the tinkling of wind chimes that runs throughout. Still, these challenges are nothing that Smalltown City’s residents—and Lenn, who hears all—haven’t banded together and faced down before. The lessons the students learn carry over into the classroom plans and activities that round out the book, whose cheerful approach to civic engagement is infectious.
A chapter book “about a storm, some children, and yes, a bit of magic,” Smalltown City and the Spirit of City Hall celebrates civic responsibility.
Reviewed by
Michelle Anne Schingler
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
