I Am the Subway: questions to ask and activities to try
The subway tells the stories of the people it carries. I Am the Subway is an award-winning Korean picture book about the lives around us.
What age is it for? I Am the Subway is best for ages 5–10. Good for: The lives of people on a city train.
I Am the Subway (Kim Hyo-eun and Deborah Smith)
- Age
- 5-10
- Best for
- The lives of people on a city train
Read it slowly. On your next bus or train, quietly imagine the stories of the people around you.
What it helps with
- Empathy for strangers
- City life
- Everyday work and families
- Picture books from other countries
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Who is telling the story?”
- “Who rode the subway?”
- “Where were they going?”
- “Whose story did you like most?”
- “What do people carry with them?”
- “Who do you see on your journeys?”
5-minute activities to try together
Journey stories
On a journey, imagine a kind story for someone you see.
Train poem
Write what your local bus or train would say.
Free printables: I Am the Subway worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
Free. We’ll only email you if you tick the box.
If your child liked this, try
Milo Imagines the World (Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson)
- Best for
- Imagining other people's lives, and not judging by looks
- Age
- 4-8
Everybody Counts (Kristin Roskifte)
- Best for
- Counting to 7.8 billion, and everyone's story
- Age
- 4-8
Small in the City (Sydney Smith)
- Best for
- Feeling small in a big city, and looking for someone you love
- Age
- 4-8
Search all our books by what's happening →
By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.