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Amy Elizabeth Explores Bloomingdale's
Welcome to New York!Amy Elizabeth lives in the suburbs of Houston, Texas, but she's come to New York City to visit her grandmother. Grandma promises Amy Elizabeth they will go to Bloomingdale's -- "we New Yorkers call it "Bloomie's"" -- the most famous store in the world.
Getting to a department store when you live in the suburbs of Houston is a matter of getting in the car and driving to the mall. But in the city -- especially when that city is New York -- there are many ways to get there, and there seem to be as many ways not to. However, all the things -- from a visit to the top of the Empire State Building to a carriage ride in Central Park -- that get between Amy Elizabeth and Bloomingdale's also bring her closer to Grandma.
With her characteristic humor and insight, two-time Newbery Medalist E. L. Konigsburg celebrates the special relationship between a little girl and her grandmother.
Getting to a department store when you live in the suburbs of Houston is a matter of getting in the car and driving to the mall. But in the city -- especially when that city is New York -- there are many ways to get there, and there seem to be as many ways not to. However, all the things -- from a visit to the top of the Empire State Building to a carriage ride in Central Park -- that get between Amy Elizabeth and Bloomingdale's also bring her closer to Grandma.
With her characteristic humor and insight, two-time Newbery Medalist E. L. Konigsburg celebrates the special relationship between a little girl and her grandmother.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
99 people want to read
About the author
E.L. Konigsburg
63 books1,496 followersElaine Lobl Konigsburg was an American writer and illustrator of children's books and young adult fiction. She is one of six writers to win two Newbery Medals, the venerable American Library Association award for the year's "most distinguished contribution to American children's literature."
Konigsburg submitted her first two manuscripts to editor Jean E. Karl at Atheneum Publishers in 1966, and both were published in 1967: Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler won the 1968 Newbery Medal, and Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth was listed as a runner-up in the same year, making Konigsburg the only author to win the Newbery Medal and have another book listed as runner-up in the same year. She won again for The View from Saturday in 1997, 29 years later, the longest span between two Newberys awarded to one author.
For her contribution as a children's writer Konigsburg was U.S. nominee in 2006 for the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest international recognition available to creators of children's books.
Konigsburg submitted her first two manuscripts to editor Jean E. Karl at Atheneum Publishers in 1966, and both were published in 1967: Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler won the 1968 Newbery Medal, and Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth was listed as a runner-up in the same year, making Konigsburg the only author to win the Newbery Medal and have another book listed as runner-up in the same year. She won again for The View from Saturday in 1997, 29 years later, the longest span between two Newberys awarded to one author.
For her contribution as a children's writer Konigsburg was U.S. nominee in 2006 for the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest international recognition available to creators of children's books.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 31, 2018
E.L. Konigsburg is a better illustrator than people realize, evidenced by the subtle, skillful art in her picture books. After writing two of them featuring her grandson, Samuel Todd, Ms. Konigsburg released Amy Elizabeth Explores Bloomingdale's in 1992, a story based on her granddaughter. A Texas girl (Houston, to be exact), Amy Elizabeth travels to New York City to spend more than a week with her grandmother. Many activities and events are on their itinerary, including a trip to Bloomingdale's famous department store. It is to be the highlight of Amy Elizabeth's stay.
On day one, Amy Elizabeth and Grandma take the dog, Alexander the Great, for a walk. Their path is impeded by a protest march in the streets, and they make it back to Grandma's apartment too late for Bloomingdale's. The next day they take the subway to Chinatown, a totally new experience for Amy Elizabeth, but aren't finished in time to head to Bloomingdale's. On day three they take an elevator to the top of the Empire State Building on the way to Bloomingdale's, and again never make it to the department store. Day four is laundry day, followed by lunch at the Carnegie Deli. Amy Elizabeth feels nauseated after eating too many green tomato pickles, and the outing is cut short.
The next morning Amy Elizabeth and Grandma ride in a horse-drawn cab, unlike anything Amy Elizabeth ever saw in Houston. When snow starts falling, Grandma takes her to Rumpelmayer's to purchase warm boots, and Bloomingdale's must wait yet again. The sixth day, they attend a live theater performance of Sir James Matthew Barrie's Peter Pan, an exciting and emotional show. There isn't time for Bloomingdale's afterward. On Sunday, Amy Elizabeth and Grandma spend the day with the New York Times, hundreds of pages of news and culture. There isn't time on Amy Elizabeth's last day in New York to do more than drive by Bloomingdale's en route to the airport, but somehow she doesn't feel she's missed anything. A week wandering one of the world's great cities with Grandma is adventure enough.
How many of us identify with Amy Elizabeth's experience, going on a trip and feeling as though our time there is virtually unlimited, only to have it all vanish before we can get our bearings? Vacation induces the illusion that we have more time than we do, so there's usually some disappointment when we must go home. As long as we cherished the moments with loved ones, though, there's no reason for regret. I might rate Amy Elizabeth Explores Bloomingdale's two and a half stars; it's a simple story leavened with low-key humor. As usual, E.L. Konigsburg gets it right.
On day one, Amy Elizabeth and Grandma take the dog, Alexander the Great, for a walk. Their path is impeded by a protest march in the streets, and they make it back to Grandma's apartment too late for Bloomingdale's. The next day they take the subway to Chinatown, a totally new experience for Amy Elizabeth, but aren't finished in time to head to Bloomingdale's. On day three they take an elevator to the top of the Empire State Building on the way to Bloomingdale's, and again never make it to the department store. Day four is laundry day, followed by lunch at the Carnegie Deli. Amy Elizabeth feels nauseated after eating too many green tomato pickles, and the outing is cut short.
The next morning Amy Elizabeth and Grandma ride in a horse-drawn cab, unlike anything Amy Elizabeth ever saw in Houston. When snow starts falling, Grandma takes her to Rumpelmayer's to purchase warm boots, and Bloomingdale's must wait yet again. The sixth day, they attend a live theater performance of Sir James Matthew Barrie's Peter Pan, an exciting and emotional show. There isn't time for Bloomingdale's afterward. On Sunday, Amy Elizabeth and Grandma spend the day with the New York Times, hundreds of pages of news and culture. There isn't time on Amy Elizabeth's last day in New York to do more than drive by Bloomingdale's en route to the airport, but somehow she doesn't feel she's missed anything. A week wandering one of the world's great cities with Grandma is adventure enough.
How many of us identify with Amy Elizabeth's experience, going on a trip and feeling as though our time there is virtually unlimited, only to have it all vanish before we can get our bearings? Vacation induces the illusion that we have more time than we do, so there's usually some disappointment when we must go home. As long as we cherished the moments with loved ones, though, there's no reason for regret. I might rate Amy Elizabeth Explores Bloomingdale's two and a half stars; it's a simple story leavened with low-key humor. As usual, E.L. Konigsburg gets it right.
January 15, 2022
I know this is silly, but i picked this book up because of the title... or really more because of the title character's name. Amy Elizabeth and I share a name. I found this book when I was reading one of the author's Newbery books and it mentioned that she wrote some children's books for her grandchildren, making them the main characters. Of course, when I heard Amy Elizabeth and that is my name too, I just had to have a copy... LOL.
The book is cute. Amy Elizabeth is staying with her grandmother for a week. Everyday, the grandmother plans to show Amy the store Bloomingdale's, but because of something else they had to do first, they were always too late to go. It was fun seeing some of the sights of New York, and even reminiscing about a few of the ones I was able to experience as well when I went there. (I didn't make it to Bloomingdale's either... LOL) It was kind of cool that Amy was able to compare New York with her hometown of Houston.
The book is cute. Amy Elizabeth is staying with her grandmother for a week. Everyday, the grandmother plans to show Amy the store Bloomingdale's, but because of something else they had to do first, they were always too late to go. It was fun seeing some of the sights of New York, and even reminiscing about a few of the ones I was able to experience as well when I went there. (I didn't make it to Bloomingdale's either... LOL) It was kind of cool that Amy was able to compare New York with her hometown of Houston.
May 17, 2021
Sweet and gentle story of a girl visiting her grandmother in New York City, and grandma giving her the grand tour. Even though they don't see everything they wanted to, the girl is still amazed by her memorable vacation. The presentation is a bit dated, but the story feels timeless.
May 23, 2017
An ideal book for a kiddo who's about to visit New York or remembering a trip, and great fun for the rest of us too.
July 8, 2021
Amy Elizabeth learns all about New York with her Gramma but never gets to Bloomies. Alissa and I wondered why they didn't go there first.
July 25, 2013
This book has been on my "to read" list for a very long time, so with the recent death of E.L. Konigsburg and an order going out with Betterworldbooks.com, I decided to look for it (it had previously not been available). I was happy to find it, and when our book order came in, there it was! I was expecting a juvenile fiction book, but was surprised to find a picture book! Nevertheless, although it was a very quick read, I really enjoyed it. E.L. Konigsburg's writing and a book set in NYC...what more could a girl want? If you have a child you will be taking to NYC, this book would be an excellent read, or just for fun!
October 29, 2009
This is another NY story from Konigsburg. Happy I found it at the library--but I wanted it to be more twisty than it was. Still, the story captures strong ideas of what is to be valued: the journey and those whom one loves.
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November 8, 2009Child's look at New York. We are in the process of reading through all of E. L. Konigsburg's books.
July 18, 2012
E.L. Konigsburg Week 2012, Book 4. 3.5/5 stars.
April 25, 2013
Sweet little story of a grandmother and her granddaughter that spend the perfect week together.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews