Omar and the Sounds of the City

Omar and the Sounds of the City Parent and Teacher Guide

As Omar walks through the busy city streets with his dad to buy fruits and vegetables, he listens carefully to the sounds around him: birds chirping, cars honking, street vendors’ calling… But there’s one special sound he’s waiting for—one that Omar loves more than all the rest.

Finally, from a distance, he hears it. His face lights up with joy as he runs toward the source, joining a group of children to find the cotton candy seller!

This heartwarming story highlights key themes such as sound recognition, curiosity, and exploration, as well as the emotional connections children can form with familiar sounds. It also touches on secondary themes like city life, the bond between father and child, and the value of patience and anticipation.

Told with a gentle, repetitive style that encourages interaction and prediction, the story helps reinforce vocabulary and concepts. After reading, children can engage in fun, hands-on activities—like discussing familiar sounds in their own environment, mimicking noises, or drawing a sound map of their neighborhood—making the reading experience even more personal and meaningful.

Questions for Discussion

• If you went out to the city one morning like Omar, what sounds do you like hearing the most?
• Which sound in the story did you find the most annoying? Is there a sound in your daily life that reminds you of it?
• How do you think Omar felt when he finally heard the sound he was waiting for?
• If we wanted to write a story like Omar’s, but about “garden sounds” or “school sounds,” what sounds could we include?
• What are your favorite sweets or candies? And do you like cotton candy like Omar does?