New Children’s Book: “In New York”

Marc Brown, the creator of the beloved children’s character Arthur, has created a new children’s picture book that is a love letter to the city – but not in the way you think. In his book In New York, he takes ordinary, everyday events – like the different kinds of noise or the varieties of street food here – and turns them into something notable, much like children do every day.

He begins the book with his own move to New York as an 8-year-old, provides a very brief history of the city, and then brings us to the present day in bustling Manhattan. Brown takes readers to the High Line, the Museum of Natural History, Central Park (the hand-drawn map is delightful), the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Empire State Building, to name a few. Interspersed throughout the book are fun facts for each site. Did you know the ESB is struck by lightning nearly 100 times each year?

The softly colored illustrations are detailed without being fussy, and there are plenty of things to discover in the pictures. Brown captures the energy of the city with the attitude of a child in his drawings of city dwellers, the subway, and city life. While the book may prove a bit challenging for a younger child to read on her own, it is perfect to share with an older sibling or caregiver.

The back of the book provides contact information for places described in the book, as well as other family-friendly sites, for in-person adventures. Be sure to check out the inside front and back covers of the book for mini-sketches of New York goodies, notes, favorite things, and tips.

Available from Knopf for $17.99.