This love letter to New York City shows Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani walking through all five boroughs and celebrating the people and places that make it great.
Zohran Mamdani has walked through the streets of New York City since he was a child, and at every crosswalk, there’s something new to celebrate. From a Mets game at Citi Field to a polar bear plunge at Coney Island, the city is filled with adventures waiting to be had. This joyful picture book for ages 4–8 is inspired by his noted thirteen-mile mayoral campaign walk.
PRAISE FOR ZOHRAN WALKS NEW YORK
“...promises to be cute.” The Cut (New York Magazine)
“A stroll through New York’s boroughs with the socialist Indian American immigrant (and onetime hip-hop musician) who could become the city’s next mayor... this sunny ramble extends his campaign walk down the length of Manhattan to include appearances at a Bronx street corner and a Mets game in Queens, a wintry dunk into the ocean at Coney Island in Brooklyn, and a ride on the Staten Island Ferry past (pointedly) the Statue of Liberty... A vibrant walkthrough, equally appealing to locals and visitors.” Kirkus Reviews
“This playful picture book debut from Von Platen takes inspiration from the 13-mile summer 2025 Manhattan campaign walk of mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.). Even readers beyond the five boroughs will recognize the figure as someone who loves where he lives and believes that every interaction matters.”—Publishers Weekly
DISCUSSION GUIDE
ZOHRAN WALKS NEW YORK
KEY THEMES AND IDEAS TO EXPLORE
Belonging and Community
The book shows that New York City is made up of neighbors, vendors, public transportation riders, families, pets, and more. Everyone shares the city’s space and there are many places to belong.
Civic Engagement and Visibility
Zohran walking through the city, greeting people, and being present in public spaces suggests that politics isn’t just for offices or speeches, it’s in the everyday: interacting, listening, and being seen by people.
Appreciation for Everyday Places
A ferry ride, a park bench, crosswalks, food trucks, street corners, a subway, beaches are all parts of various cities and towns. ZOHRAN WALKS NEW YORK shows their value, beauty, and the role they play in many people’s lives.
Diversity and Inclusion
The illustrations in ZOHRAN WALKS NEW YORK include a wide variety of people and communities. The city is shown as multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and full of different stories which invites thinking about difference, acceptance, and respect.
Pace, Observation, and Mindfulness
Although the city is fast, the text and illustrations encourage slowing down by noticing, listening, and enjoying small moments.
Hope and Optimism
There’s warmth, celebration, and joy in ZOHRAN WALKS NEW YORK. With an optimistic tone, the book asserts that people and places matter, and that public life can be pleasant, shared, and meaningful. It also suggests that hope is prevalent and possible.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
For Younger Readers
Before reading the book, how familiar were you with New York City? How does this book increase your knowledge about the city? Why do you think the flap copy says that this book is a “love letter” to New York City?
Which place in the book did you like best and why?
DISCUSSION GUIDE
ZOHRAN WALKS NEW YORK
How do the pictures help tell this story? Do you see things in the illustrations that aren’t in the words?
What does Zohran do when he walks through the city? What kinds of people does he meet? What do they do?
What do you think Zohran notices when he’s at a crosswalk, or when he stops to ride the ferry, or to sit on bench?
The book shows many kinds of people in New York City. How are these people similar? How are they different? Why is it important to show many different people in this book?
If you were walking with Zohran, what would you want to show him in your neighborhood? What places or people are special where you live?
What does the book say (or show) about what makes a city nice or special?
Why might it matter that a New York City mayoral candidate walks through all five boroughs, not just one?
For Older Readers
How does the idea of being “visible” in public spaces (walking, riding the subway, greeting people) connect to what you know about leadership or politics?
How does Zohran’s walk show that different neighborhoods, public spaces, and people all contribute to what New York is?
There is a contrast between movement (walking, riding the subway) and rest (sitting, watching, listening) in the book. Why is this important to depict in the book?
How does the book’s creator Millie von Platen use color in the illustrators? How do you feel about the detail she put into the artwork in the book? How do her artistic choices reflect the vibe of New York City? Which illustration appealed to you in the most, and why?
What does kindness look like in this book? Where do you see it? How do small everyday acts, like greeting someone, matter?
Do you think someone reading this book learns something about living in a city like New York City that they might not have thought about before?
DISCUSSION GUIDE
ZOHRAN WALKS NEW YORK
ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS BEYOND THE BOOK
Map Walk: Find or make a map of your city or neighborhood, either printed or online. Mark places that are meaningful. Then plan a walking tour like Zohran’s: choose spots to visit, note what you’d see, who you might meet, and what you’d want to notice.
Photo/Drawing Walk: Get outside with sketchbooks, a camera, or your phone. Stop and draw or photograph something at a crosswalk, a subway station, a park bench something you might usually rush past. Then, share what was noticed.
Compare Cities: Do you have a friend or family member who has moved from another city or country? Compare with them what feels similar and different about public spaces, and how people interact. What makes a place feel “like home”?
Civic Conversation: What’s the role of a mayor in a city? What does a mayor do? How do leaders connect with people? How could walking with people be a way to understand what people need? Find out more about the leadership of your town or city.
Art Project: Create poster or illustration of your favorite places in your town or city. Or, create a book about where you live by writing and illustrating a short walk you take through nearby places that matter to you.
Word/Illustration Pairing: Pick a page, cover up the text, and just look at the picture. What story is the illustration telling on its own? Then do the reverse: cover the picture, read the text, and imagine what picture you would draw.
