Posts Tagged ‘children’s books’

Your kids have a strange fascination with the subway — the grit, the grime, the slow-moving trains, the coughing commuters. You indulge them once in awhile on the 6, but there’s an entire world of subways to explore.

Subway Ride offers a glimpse into ten of the world’s subway stations, from Moscow to Mexico City. Five children ride the rails, showing how travel through different culture helps create a community. Visit the underground as the kids pay the fare, hear musicians and brave the crowds, whether it’s on Atlanta’s MARTA or Stockholm’s T-Bana. Author Heather Lynn Miller was inspired by zipping through the tunnels of NYC, which has more stations than any other subway in the world.

One down, 468 to go.

Available at amazon.com.

A good story always captures your kid’s attention — even mid-tantrum. Luckily, there’s a host of free readings throughout the city.

Tomorrow, John Jay College continues its Family Time series as the staff of Barnes & Noble shares a special story time for children. Settle in to hear Winnie the Pooh-themed stories from four books (My Friends Tigger & Pooh, On the Color Case, Pooh Loves You, Pooh’s Easter Basket). If the little ones didn’t already love Pooh and friends, they’ll soon be enthralled by a world of Tigger, Piglet, and Roo.

When: Tuesdays, 6/9, 6/30, 7/9 and 7/23, 11am; Free (email theater@jjay.cuny.edu for reservations).
Where: Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College, 899 Tenth Ave., jjay.cuny.edu.

Reading to your little one is the perfect way to spend a June afternoon — mix that with a little live music, and you’ve got a fun (and free!) day.

Start the season right: Tomorrow, all-girl band Care Bears on Fire performs at the Brooklyn Public Library to kick off BPL’s Summer Reading Program. After hearing these 14 and 15-year-old rockers do their thing (think The Ramones meets The Donnas) on the steps at Grand Army Plaza at 3:30pm, head inside to check out this year’s summer reading list for kids and pick up a few titles for a rainy (or sunny) day.

Rock on.

Visit summerreading.org.

Chocolate, caramel, vanilla bean — kids come in an endless array of delicious shades.

I’m Your Peanut Butter Big Brother, by Park Slope mom Selina Alko, sweetly wonders what a diverse family’s new baby will look like. Told from the viewpoint of a big brother-to-be, the book’s lyrical text bounces along to this SVA grad’s funky illustrations (Will the latest addition have eyes that look like hot cocoa footballs or a perfect pair of pennies?). Little ones will love the wordplay using edible references (cotton candy hair, a jelly-bean smile) and be engaged by this story about an interracial home.

Leave room for seconds.

Available at borders.com.

Your little readers (or almost readers) love flipping through the drawings on the page almost as much as sounding out the words — sometimes even more. Now, get some one-on-one time with those incredible sketches.

“Ordinary into Extraordinary,” an exhibit at the Brooklyn Central Library, features original picture book illustrations by local artist Melanie Hope Greenberg. Her seven children’s books portray the usual and unusual everyday moments of urban NYC life, from a child watching a dog walker in Brooklyn Heights to a Coney Island performance troupe of mermaids. Kids will love these colorful creations that help tell a story that takes place in their own environment.

When: Mon-Sat. through June 13; All ages; Free.
Where: Brooklyn Central Library, Youth Wing, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718-230-2100, brooklynpubliclibrary.org.

New Yorkers love their pizza, but who knew that a good pie could come from the West Coast?

Based on the true story of eight-time world pizza-tossing champion and Northern California chef Tony Gemignani, Tony and the Pizza Champions gives kids an inside look into the acrobatic art of pizza tossing. After a cross-country trip to assemble the best team (including a stop in NYC to pick up Famous Joe), Tony and friends show off their dough-tossing skills in Italy — and of course, win with their high-flying skills.

If that’s enough to set off your pizza alarm, check out the recipes and tossing instructions in the back of the book (even a New Yorker would approve). Mangia.

Available at chroniclebooks.com.

Spring is the perfect time to explore a new part of NYC, whether you’ve got a little visitor coming to town or your kids are finally old enough for day of sightseeing.

Prepare for the adventure with Salvatore Rubbino’s A Walk in New York, which follows a young boy and his dad through their day in the big city. From Grand Central Station to Greenwich Village, the little boy is amazed by the sights and sounds of Manhattan. Even the most jaded city dweller will be excited by the lively illustrations and energizing text, mixed with fun facts about NYC (for instance, the site where the NYPL stands used to be a reservoir).

Enjoy the view.

Available at amazon.com.

Welcome to story time season. Lately several city venues have added free book readings for kids to the calendar, including Housing Works Bookstore, FAO Schwarz and Battery Park’s Action Center.

The Strand Book Store, a New York landmark, now joins the bunch with a weekly family hour where staff members read from their favorite children’s books. In addition to the Thursday get-togethers, stay tuned for special events with local writers (next month welcomes Harry Bliss, author of Luke on the Loose).

Those miles and miles of books are sounding better and better.

When: Thursdays, 3:30pm; All ages; Free.
Where: Strand Book Store, 828 Broadway at 12th St. (second floor children’s department), 212-473-1452, strandbooks.com.