Wide Open Spaces

Embark on a wild and whimsical road trip when a cramped family car transforms into a child’s mindful, imaginative escape. With each mile, nature’s wonders offer relief, turning restless moments into a journey of calm, curiosity, and learning the joys of paying attention to the present.

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Gram’s words echo in my ear, “Not long now.”

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So begins an epic journey to Grandma’s house, squeezed in a car with four siblings, two parents, and one furry drooler named Daisy. Mile after mile, there are snack bags and bathroom breaks, curvy roads and upset stomachs, and “How much longer?” set on repeat.

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I close my eyes and imagine . . .

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What would it be like to dash like a roadrunner? Glide like an owl? Buzz like a bee? Stretch out wide in a natural, open space?

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Focusing on the sights, sounds, and smells of the variety of environments outside the cramped car soothes the narrator’s growing frustration. As they channel the calming power of mindfulness and the magnificence of nature, a tedious trip becomes sweet, silly, and even sublime.

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Lyrical language and illustrations, both hilarious and heartfelt, tell the story of a journey made (nearly) as enjoyable as the destination. Along the way, readers will realize that a small shift in perspective can ease their own journey through the challenges and uncertainties that every day presents.

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Author: Robyn McGrath

Illustrator: Polina Gortman

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ISBN: 9798989858842

Hardcover Picture Book

Full-Color Illustrations

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Age Range: 3 to 7

Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Themes: Imagination & play, health & daily living, meditation & mindfulness, multigenerational & family, science & nature, self-esteem & self-reliance

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$18.95
10.5 x 9.0 inches, 32 pages
Publication Date: May 12, 2026