Ellen Schmidt, the blogger behind Baby Meets City, tells us her favorite New York City-based books for kids.
Journey Around New York from A to Z by Martha Day Zschock and Heather Zschock (ages 4-8)
I like that the Zschock sisters thought outside the box on this one. For instance, “I” stands for “Immigrants imagine a better life” and features a drawing and description of the Statue of Liberty. “Z” stands for “Zillions of commuters zip beneath the zodiac,” which, of course, describes our beautiful Grand Central Station.
Hello New York City! by David Walker (ages 0-4)
Each page demonstrates the wonders of this city from the perspective of a little one. Who else would notice pigeons with such enthusiasm?
Larry Gets Lost in New York City by John Skewes (ages 4-8)
On each page, Skewes has educational tidbits about each location that Larry and Pete visit.
ABC NYC: A Book About Seeing New York City by Joanne Dugan (ages 4-8)
This stylish book is a great way for your children to learn their ABCs while highlighting their very own hometown. Furthermore, in what other city would “B” stand for bagel?
Where’s Walrus? by Stephen Savage (ages 4-8)
In a nutshell, Walrus, bored at the zoo, makes a break for it and escapes out into NYC to see what life is like out of captivity. You’ll find Walrus checking out various landmarks and immersing himself into the fray while hiding from the zoo keeper, who’s hot on his trail.
I Lego N.Y. by Christoph Niemann (all ages)
I have to say this book is as much fun for adults as it is for kids. From Starbucks to taxi cabs, Niemann recreates the things we love and loathe about NYC with a sense of humor and creativity.
Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold (ages 4-8)
What’s a tar beach, you ask? I’ve lived in NYC for 10 years, yet I didn’t know the answer until reading Ringgold’s delightful story. A tar beach refers to a building rooftop, and it’s where the story’s main character, Cassie Lightfoot, spends many a summer night escaping the heat with her family.
Ellen Schmidt is a mother of one in Manhattan. She blogs at Baby Meets City. In her Big Apple Books section, from which the above is adapted, she reviews children’s literature based in the five boroughs of NYC — both classic titles and the as-yet undiscovered. Let her know your faves!
Also see: Kid Lit Landmarks in NYC
10 Best Children’s Books About NYC History
