Storied City: A Children's Book Walking-Tour Guide to New York City

by Leonard S. Marcus

In this handy-size book, renowned critic and historian (and New Yorker) Leonard S. Marcus has created and narrated twenty walking tours of New York City based on children's literature. Illustrated with maps, photographs, and book art, the tours can be followed from start to finish or abbreviated to suit a reader's, or a family's, particular interests. Together they feature over one hundred places and spaces by which New York has lit the imaginations of writers and artists as varied as E. B. White, Maurice Sendak, Judy Blume, Faith Ringgold, Madeleine L'Engle, and many more. Along the way, Marcus deftly discusses more than two hundred of the best books about New York City ever written for young people.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Books About Books, New York

154 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 2003

About the author

Leonard S. Marcus is one of the world's leading writers about children's books and their illustrations. His many books include The Wand in the Word: Conversations with Writers of Fantasy; Funny Business: Conversations with Writers of Comedy; Dear Genius; and others. His essays, interviews, and reviews appear in the New York Times Book Review, among other publications. Leonard S. Marcus lives in Brooklyn.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a life-long New Yorker and elementary school librarian,the concept of this book----various walking tours across all of the city's five boroughs, highlighting literary landmarks, book-setting locales, and author homes and hotspots---is fascinating and one which I wished I would have thought of myself. Some tidbits of trivia were more interesting then others---and some parts of the outer boroughs, such as Queens, could have been covered more extensively--- but even with NYC as my stomping ground, I learned a great deal. My biggest gripe with the book is that it is in desperate need of an update: whenever I was intrigued enough with a title to order it for my library, I found that it was out of print! All in all, however, "City" is a handy and clever guide for any bookworm or bibliophile.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took a walking tour with the author and absolutely loved it. I think this book would make a great APP because there are lots of backstory and history that I just don't know--having an electronic reference library would help because I can't ask the author to come with me every time I want to know a little bit more about the history of children's books in NYC.

[Caryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredible. It is tiny, and paperback, but packed with information about New York City and its picture book history. I learned so much about each borough, which is something I wasn’t really anticipating with this book. There are twenty-one walking tours throughout the book, and I fully intend to plan some of them and read the books he recommends as well. NYC is truly fascinating and full of picture books and authors and illustrators and more. This was a perfectly nerdy, picture book fanatic read and I loved it!

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this fun guide very much. So many interesting facts and tidbits. Truly a must have when visiting or living in NY. Plus it is by Leonard S. Marcus. 'Nuff said.