Mr. Walker Steps Out

Mr. Walker, the human-shaped figure who lives in the traffic signal box and tells pedestrians when it is safe to cross the street, decides to leave his post and experience all that he has been missing, in this sweet and satisfying tale about finding one's place in the world.

Mr. Walker works hard. Every day, he stands in the window of his boxy little house on the corner of Broadway and Main, letting people know when it's safe to cross the street. Usually that is enough. But after a while, watching the world go by without him makes him feel small and unimportant. So he decides to jump down from his box and experience for himself all the wonderful things he’s seen from his post. With each new adventure, he feels bigger and more important. But after enjoying all the wonderful things that the city has to offer, he starts to wonder how his little corner is getting on without him. Then something happens . . . something big. And Mr. Walker wonders if it might be time to go home, to where he's needed most.

Lisa Graff is the author of many books for young readers, including A Tangle of Knots, which was long-listed for the National Book Award, and The Thing About Georgie, which was named to nine state reading lists, as well as the picture books It Is Not Time for Sleeping and Mr. Walker Steps Out. Lisa grew up in California, and now lives in Pennsylvania with her family. Visit her at lisagraff.com.

Christophe Jacques is a Belgian illustrator who has worked with illustration clients all over the world. He lives and works in Flanders, Belgium. Instagram: @atelier_la_fermette