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City by Numbers
In the ideal follow-up to his stunning Caldecott Honor book Alphabet City , Stephen T. Johnson turns his talents towards numbers. Wordless spreads featuring impressively photo-realistic paintings of New York City invite readers both young and old to search for the numbers zero through twenty-one hidden in the images. From a sweeping 4 found in the span of an urban bridge to the 13 of a faded crosswalk, this is an intriguing new way to think about numbers and the world around you.
32 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1998
90 people want to read
About the author
Stephen T. Johnson
33 books28 followersSTEPHEN T. JOHNSON’s inventive children’s books explore a wide range of subject matter and concepts that stimulate playful yet profoundly rich engagement through words, art and ideas. He is the recipient of a Caldecott Honor, two New York Times Best Illustrated book of the Year awards, three ALA Notables, two Gold and two Silver medals from the Society of Illustrators in New York City, and the 2004 Governor’s Art Award for Individual Artist by former Kansas Governor, Kathleen Sebelius.
His drawings and paintings are in numerous private collections including those of musician Paul Simon and actress Cherry Jones, and in the permanent collections of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, the New Britain Museum of American Art in Connecticut, and the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. Among his public art is a 66-foot mosaic mural at the DeKalb Avenue Subway Station in Brooklyn, New York, a 58-foot mosaic mural at the Universal City Metro Station in Los Angeles, California, and 33 glass panels for the Dallas Love Field Airport, in Dallas, Texas.
His drawings and paintings are in numerous private collections including those of musician Paul Simon and actress Cherry Jones, and in the permanent collections of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, the New Britain Museum of American Art in Connecticut, and the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. Among his public art is a 66-foot mosaic mural at the DeKalb Avenue Subway Station in Brooklyn, New York, a 58-foot mosaic mural at the Universal City Metro Station in Los Angeles, California, and 33 glass panels for the Dallas Love Field Airport, in Dallas, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 21, 2018
Really cool pictures. Adults will enjoy these as well.
August 25, 2016
"I Saw the Figure 5 in Gold"; (Demuth; oil/graphite; 1928)
This book is a companion to Johnson's Caldecott Honor book, "Alphabet City", although it is a bit darker and more somber. Johnson has created photo-realistic paintings of New York City scenes that feature the numerals one through twenty-one, with some, (like the Figure 8 on the cover), being obvious and some, (like a number 6 created from cogs, gears and shadows), resembling those figures used in eye/brain recognition tests.
My first encounter with this book was when my five year old grandson pulled it from its shelf at the Children's Library. He plopped down on the floor and I plopped down right next to him and we poured over the paintings. Once we figured out the pictures were in order from one to twenty-one, and that there weren't going to be any words, we went to town playing number search. He got a lot of them on his own, and enjoyed getting the rest with some hints and suggestions. We both had a good time, and it was very rewarding to watch the little kid gears turning in his head as he searched the paintings.
Of course, this is all about shapes and numbers, but as Kirkus noted, it is also about visual literacy. We talked about photo-realist painting and about composition. And we had fun.
So, this is a game, a sophisticated introduction to composition, a bit of art instruction, and an all around happy book experience.
This book is a companion to Johnson's Caldecott Honor book, "Alphabet City", although it is a bit darker and more somber. Johnson has created photo-realistic paintings of New York City scenes that feature the numerals one through twenty-one, with some, (like the Figure 8 on the cover), being obvious and some, (like a number 6 created from cogs, gears and shadows), resembling those figures used in eye/brain recognition tests.
My first encounter with this book was when my five year old grandson pulled it from its shelf at the Children's Library. He plopped down on the floor and I plopped down right next to him and we poured over the paintings. Once we figured out the pictures were in order from one to twenty-one, and that there weren't going to be any words, we went to town playing number search. He got a lot of them on his own, and enjoyed getting the rest with some hints and suggestions. We both had a good time, and it was very rewarding to watch the little kid gears turning in his head as he searched the paintings.
Of course, this is all about shapes and numbers, but as Kirkus noted, it is also about visual literacy. We talked about photo-realist painting and about composition. And we had fun.
So, this is a game, a sophisticated introduction to composition, a bit of art instruction, and an all around happy book experience.
December 8, 2012
Genre: Counting Picture Book
Summary: This book, like Alphabet City is full of beautiful and realistic urban scenes where the shape of everyday objects look like numbers. Though the author is painting the scenes in this book, as you look through it you will see common sights that you have seen a hundred times before only this time they may look like a 3 or 7.
Critique:
A. Number recognition and counting
B. This is an excellent way to get children to see beyond the abstract of numbers and see that numbers are everywhere. As you move through the book the counting method will be reinforced and when children begin to actively seek the numbers in their surroundings they will become more accustom to recognizing them in print as well.
c. Images are hard to post but the cover of the book gives you an idea of what the author means by the title "City by Numbers" and it gets children to find the numbers that are all around us.
Curriculum Connections: This is a great resource for teachers teaching students counting and number recognition. They can begin to connect the idea that numbers have an definite shape and order and can be found everywhere.
Summary: This book, like Alphabet City is full of beautiful and realistic urban scenes where the shape of everyday objects look like numbers. Though the author is painting the scenes in this book, as you look through it you will see common sights that you have seen a hundred times before only this time they may look like a 3 or 7.
Critique:
A. Number recognition and counting
B. This is an excellent way to get children to see beyond the abstract of numbers and see that numbers are everywhere. As you move through the book the counting method will be reinforced and when children begin to actively seek the numbers in their surroundings they will become more accustom to recognizing them in print as well.
c. Images are hard to post but the cover of the book gives you an idea of what the author means by the title "City by Numbers" and it gets children to find the numbers that are all around us.
Curriculum Connections: This is a great resource for teachers teaching students counting and number recognition. They can begin to connect the idea that numbers have an definite shape and order and can be found everywhere.
December 6, 2014
The idea of a number book evolved naturally. The book inevitably came up subjects that resembled not only letter but number as well. Each image is found in its natural position, out-of-door or in a public space, readily accessible to anyone who looks carefully at our urban world at various times of day and during the cycle of the season. Cities are one of our greatest human assets, for they embody and embrace diversity, connecting us with our past and linking us to our future. As the twenty-first century unfolds, is may be an appropriate time to reflect on the past century with its prodigious urban achievements and ask ourselves how we can preserve building, neighborhoods, and areas that have unique character and charm. It is also a time to marvel at our innovation as we move into this wondrous new era. The illustrations of this book are so imperative and reinforcing to text and mood of story, the author may often add a different detail than text alone. Moreover, they are very detailed and drawn out with water color.
July 29, 2010
City by Numbers is another volume in the spirit of Alphabet City. Conceived at the same time as a natural outgrowth of the alphabet book (which won a Caldecott Honor in 1996), this is an excellent companion to it. It's also an excellent choice both for prereaders, aspiring artists, or just those who enjoy a chance to see the world from a new perspective.
January 23, 2017
A beautifully illustrated book. I am so impressed with the images throughout the book. I think this will be perfect for a preschooler learning about numbers as he or she can look for the numbers on each page. Some are hard to find but that is the fun of it! I think this is great also for NYC kids who see many of these images every day and can find the beauty of everyday things. I plan to have this in my book collection for my daughter when she gets older.
July 21, 2012
Theme: numbers, urban setting
This is an awesome book of photo-realistic images of the New York City landscape depicting the numbers 1-21. The reader sometimes has to search a little to find the number in the city setting.
Uses in the classroom: Identification of the numbers 1-21, Older students could use a camera to try to emulate the author's style.
This is an awesome book of photo-realistic images of the New York City landscape depicting the numbers 1-21. The reader sometimes has to search a little to find the number in the city setting.
Uses in the classroom: Identification of the numbers 1-21, Older students could use a camera to try to emulate the author's style.
October 22, 2015
The hyper-realistic paintings - they are amazing for their feel, especially the trash can 8 on the cover and the 4 of a bridge span against a sunset - run through 20, with 0 on the title page and I-don't-know-what on he final page. Some of the numbers are more cryptic and less easy to discern, but Johnson's skill and touch make this a pleasing book to breeze or amble through.
June 16, 2008
I thought this was an ok counting book.
I didn't like the fact that some of the numbers were so hard to pick out. But then again, it might be good for a kid who likes to use his imagination and visual things in their own way.
I didn't like the fact that some of the numbers were so hard to pick out. But then again, it might be good for a kid who likes to use his imagination and visual things in their own way.
September 10, 2008
Paintings of various sites around New York City portray the numbers 1 through 21.
Again the paintings look like photographs.
Another book that can be used to help children realize they can find things in the world around them. Can be used as a good lead-in to an assignment.
Again the paintings look like photographs.
Another book that can be used to help children realize they can find things in the world around them. Can be used as a good lead-in to an assignment.
July 11, 2009
It's a good book for artistes that look at things differently and think differently because the artist sees numbers but they are just things in a city. I recommend this book to all people who like painting, looking, and staring.
December 9, 2015
A stunning visualization of numbers in everyday urban sights. A wordless picture book sure to engage young readers, City By Numbers fools the eye until you 'see' the number clearly before you.
September 17, 2008
Collin likes this book. I think that Alphabet City is better than this book, but this one is still pretty good.
April 23, 2009
Counting Book:Awesome pictures; really creative
July 17, 2009
I have an autographed copy of this book from when I heard the author speak.
July 9, 2011
This is a great introduction to the study of cities and city life. As youth look for the numbers hidden in the art, they are also seeing cityscapes and scenes from a unique perspective.
March 1, 2015
City by Numbers
Johnson, Stephen T.
this is a book about exploring numbers with in a city landscape great pictures
Johnson, Stephen T.
this is a book about exploring numbers with in a city landscape great pictures
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April 12, 2012I love his paintings they are so interesting and creative!
January 18, 2013
Finding some of the numbers in the book is a little hard to find. Maybe good for kindergarten or first grade.
January 14, 2014
Great coffee table book, for all ages.
March 29, 2023
Kind of tricky! Find the numbers hidden in the city. Enjoyed this one!!
July 8, 2009
An exercise in seeing the city through an artist's eyes. Trippy.
July 6, 2012
No words, just pictures that if you squint look like numbers.
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October 9, 2012I enjoyed this more than the Zs.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews