While the real Zohran Mamdani began a “Five Boroughs Against Trump tour” this week, the children’s book character does the same thing, although not explicitly against Trump. In Zohran Walks New York (Calkins Creek, 32 pages), writer and illustrator Millie von Platen depicts the New York City mayoral candidate eating at a halal food truck in Zuccotti Park in downtown Manhattan; taking the ferry to Staten Island; attending a Mets game in Citi Field in Queens; joining the Polar Bear Club in “the icy waters of Coney Island” in Brooklyn; walking a street in the Bronx, evidently near his alma mater, the Bronx High School of Science. In-between, he rests on a park bench.
He also takes the subway with his bride Rama Duwaji – specifically the N and the 4 trains, we’re told – on the way to City Hall to get married.
Everybody in the city looks happy, even the pigeons in the park and the rat on the subway platform.

“Zohran Walks New York” is mostly a picture book, but von Platen — whose bio in the book identifies her as Swedish Korean, raised in London and Stockholm, and “currently based in Brooklyn, New York” – includes a page of text that elaborates on the illustrations: Zohran not only ate biryani at the food truck, “he also advocated for fair food prices.” He not only took the (free) ferry; he “advocates for accessible public transportation.” One might wonder if von Platen’s book, whose official publication date is the week before the November election, is part of a Mamdani campaign strategy to push his youth appeal to the next level – specifically to four to eight-year-olds. But there is one aspect of ‘Zohran Walks New York” that the campaign might not endorse. The price for this 32-page book is $18.99.

This was very sweet and cute. While inspired by Zohran's canvassing, it really is a story about being part of NYC. It was simple and sweet and very visually stimulating for kids!

This adorable picture book is as charming as Mamdami himself. He makes his way through the city, interacting with the people, and really noticing how amazing everything is. The pictures are bright and detailed enough that they feel full of life. At the end, there is a list of the places and how they are personal to him, and I learned some interesting facts.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review

I was so excited to see this book because I think Mamdani is a pretty cool dude. My little brother lives in NYC and called me after the primary to talk about how uplifting his voting experience was with a line of people at the poll before it opened because they were all so excited to cast their votes for Zohran.

This book is an adorable picture book that functions as a love letter to NYC. The words are simple, yet they highlight the work that Mamdani put into his campaign, as well as his attachment to the city.

It just so happens that my brother is visiting, so we read this together. Having only been to New York twice, I was not able to recognize all the sights, but he was pointing out the various scenes.

I would recommend this to families and libraries in NYC, as it will resonate best with them.

Thank you to Net Galley, Astra Publishing House, and Calkins Creek for the ARC. All opinions are mine or my brother's.