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Baylin Bengathody (pictured above)
First-grader, Chatham, New Jersey<\/p>\n
Who\u2019s on the other end of your walkie-talkie?
My friend. We\u2019re using it to say where we are so we don\u2019t get lost or anything.<\/p>\n
I like the cheetahs on your pajamas.
They\u2019re jaguars.<\/p>\n
Do you learn a lot about animals in school?
Not that much, but I already know a lot. Just ask me some specific questions and I\u2019ll answer.<\/p>\n
Do you know what the biggest cat is?
A tiger!<\/p>\n
Maxwell Villanueva-Rayko<\/p>\n
Kindergartner, Wilton, Connecticut\u00a0<\/p>\n
Olive Stemper<\/p>\n
Kindergartner, West Fairlee, Vermont<\/p>\n
I heard it\u2019s cold in Vermont right now.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s some snow. I like playing in it. But winter is not my favorite season; I like all of them.<\/p>\n
Vivaan Varma<\/p>\n
Fourth-grader, Bronxville<\/p>\n
Edith Colbert-Haburchak<\/p>\n
Third-grader, Windsor Terrace<\/p>\n
Sadie Whitworth<\/p>\n
Kindergartner, Upper East Side<\/p>\n
Tell me about this stuffie you\u2019re holding.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a jaguar, and it helps me sleep.<\/p>\n
Aidan Wei<\/p>\n
Fourth-grader, Upper East Side<\/p>\n
Gabriel McGovern<\/p>\n
Fourth-grader, Park Slope<\/p>\n
Harry Angelo<\/p>\n
Third-grader, West Village<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Are you looking forward to seeing anything in particular?<\/p>\n
I\u2019m looking forward to when it\u2019s lights-out and to sleep.<\/p>\n
Patrick Benson<\/p>\n
First-grader, Upper East Side<\/p>\n
Rose Whitworth<\/p>\n
Third-grader, Upper East Side<\/p>\n
Harrison Fane<\/p>\n
Third-grader, Upper East Side<\/p>\n
What did you pack for your sleepover?<\/p>\n
I brought a pillow of my own. My main focus is just to have a good sleep. But I\u2019m probably going to be up and looking at stuff. Usually on weekdays, I go to bed at 7:30 and wake up at 5:30 a.m. My neighbors have a big beef with me because then I usually play piano at six.<\/p>\n
Astro Mueller<\/p>\n
Third-grader, Chelsea<\/p>\n
Savannah Nanitelamio<\/p>\n
Fifth-grader, Harlem<\/p>\n
Hawke Howell<\/p>\n
First-grader, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida<\/p>\n
Where in the museum are you headed?<\/p>\n
I was wanting to see some live animals, but besides that I wanted to see some experiments. And snakes. I\u2019ve only seen two black racers that were getting married in my pool and also one moccasin.<\/p>\n
Nate Conlisk<\/p>\n
First-grader, Old Greenwich, Connecticut<\/p>\n
Bash Wei<\/p>\n
Second-grader, Upper East Side<\/p>\n
Lily Vorobeychik<\/p>\n
Second-grader, Greenwich, Connecticut<\/p>\n
Have you been to a sleepover before?<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve done seven sleepovers so far, so this is my eighth. I\u2019m 8 years old, too!<\/p>\n
Valentina Gribben<\/p>\n
Second-grader, Greenpoint<\/p>\n
\n Photographs by Frankie Alduino\n <\/p>\n
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\n If you prefer to read in print, you can also find this article in the December 15, 2025, issue of
\n New York\u00a0Magazine.<\/p>\n
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\n If you prefer to read in print, you can also find this article in the December 15, 2025, issue of
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