Many Points of Me by Caroline Gertler

 

A few months ago I came back into work after a few days off and saw that someone had dropped a galley on my desk.  The author had dropped it off hoping we could place it in the store.  She had worked here ,before my time, and knew the shop and the museum.   

It sat on my desk for a few days until one day during my lunch I picked it up and started reading.  It was interesting to see all the little details about The Met that I could relate to.  I laughed when she mentioned the pallet eraser because we still sell that.  It is a great companion title to From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler....the classic children's novel about children running away to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

As I read the story I realized it was more than just a book about kids roaming The Met. It was a story of love, loss, family and friendship.  Yes it is a story of a girl who wants to find out if her father, a famous painter, was thinking of her before he died but it is much more than that.  During this past year and a half we have all had to deal with loss and the feeling of helplessness that brings. For kids they have had to deal with issues most usually wouldn't see until they are adults.  

In this way Many Points of Me  by Caroline Gertler is a book for our times....children today have lived and are living through changes in friendships, families and sadly loss. They have had to grow up faster than most parents want them to, but children are resilient and I have faith they will persevere.   This books story brings this home, it doesn't talk down to the reader or give them situations they can't understand. 

Besides the universal story of friendship,  it gives a great behind the scenes look at how a museum works.  The fact that putting together an art exhibition is not something that is done overnight but takes time and thought.  As much as it takes place in the one of the most famous museums it could take place in any museum.  There are so many lesson plans that can surround this book that it would be great for classrooms too.  

The Bear Who Couldn't Sleep by Caroline Nastro illustrated by Vanya Nastanlieva

It has been many years since I have been a children's book buyer but I am lucky enough to still be friends with some of my old sales reps.  Just a few weeks ago I started a new dream job at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  One of my sales rep friends realized that a book she is selling was having it's book launch right across the street from The Met.  She very nicely invited me to come.  I was thrilled to go especially after I looked the book up and thought it was really cute.

I went and had a wonderful time... the author Caroline Nastro was so sweet and lovely.

The Bear who Couldn't Sleep by Caroline Nastro and illustrated by Vanya Nastanlieva is a sweet book about a little bear who goes on an adventure instead of hibernating with his family.  His adventure takes him to the "big city" of New York.  All the iconic sights are there....the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Times Square and even my new place of employment---The Met.  In the end the "city that never sleeps" is too much for this sweet little bear....and well you get the picture.  The story is a great bedtime story with wonderful illustrations.  This is also a perfect way to introduce NYC to the youngest among us....
It is also a wonderful story time book---I can see it being read at a pajama party too....

Here is a photo of the author, Caroline Nastro (on the left) and my friend Heather at the book launch....

Little Humans by Brandon Stanton

Whenever I am on Facebook someone is always posting a photo from Humans of New York. I think they are terrific and thought provoking.  Mr Stanton has totally captured the essence of what it means to be a New Yorker.  Totally wonderful, intriguing and quirky as only a New Yorker can be.

I was thrilled to come across his new book for children called
Little Humans.  I love this book.  Brandon Stanton takes his fantastic photos and makes a great children's book out of them. He creates a book that is perfect for the littlest among us. It is a great read aloud book as well as a learning book. Each photo has a description that fits it perfectly. I like how there are highlighted descriptive words that emphasize what is being seen in each photo.  I think my favorite is the photo that goes along with the phrase "super HERO tough"...it just cracked me up.  I hope this is the first of many books by Mr Stanton for children.  I see a board book version in his future. This is a must have book for any age.....

Reference Sunday: One Times Square by Joe McKendry

This is the time of year that always reminds me of my Dad.   He was a wonderful man who loved his family more than anything.    Even though I grew up in NJ he was born and raised in NYC.   He was the quintessential New Yorker. He not only grew up there but he worked there too.    When I was growing up the most fun I ever had was going to work with him.   I would hold his hand as we walked the streets of New York in awe of the sights and sounds around me.   For most of his working life his office was on 49th Street and Madison Ave this only changed at the end when his studio closed and he needed to find a new space to work.  Even when he worked on Madison Ave we would walk through Times Square to get to his office. I always held on real tight because back in those days the area wasn't as safe and nice as it is now.  As I mentioned he moved into a new space to work as a freelancer at the end of his career, this new office/studio was in the heart of Times Square.   I remember visiting him there and watching the streets below amazed at how many people passed by.   I would watch the giant screen at the top of the Times Square building and see where the ball was kept for New Years Eve.  Today whenever I walk through Times Square I always think of my Dad --- I could almost feel my hand in his.....

One Times Square written and illustrated by Joe McKendry brought back all the wonderful memories I have  of visiting New York.   One of my first real jobs was in Mid Town Manhattan and I would walk through Times Square every day.   My father had shown me all the short cuts to take.   I wish I had this book back then, it would have been wonderful to know the history of this iconic area of NYC.  I had no idea that this building is "One Times Square", it never dawned on me that it is called "Times Square" because the NY Times newspaper was published from there.   I also didn't know that back when it was built it was considered one of the tallest buildings in the world. Besides being well written and not just a dry history book the illustrations are wonderful.   Mr McKendry has created images that are nostalgic and new at the same time.   This isn't a stuffy history book but a fascinating story of one of the most well known places in the world.  While it is written for the middle grade reader it is definitely something I would give a grown up ---- especially if they love New York like I do.   It would make a great gift!

Flashback Tuesday: E is for Empire by Ann Burg illus by Maureen Brookfield

Since I have been snowed in with my sister and her family for a few days I thought I would write about one of her earliest books.   I also thought it was appropriate because we are going to attempt to visit NYC today.....besides they need to bring me home.  

E is for Empire by Ann Burg and illustrated by Maureen Brookefield is part of a series of books from Sleeping Bear Press.   I always loved this series of books even before my sister wrote hers because it is a way to bring history to children without being preachy and boring.   Each page has a poem about an event in NY history plus sidebars that go into more detail.   The poems are great to read on their own and  perfect for younger kids.   The sidebars are wonderful because of the detail so older kids can get more information.   I learned so much about New York just because of my sister's research.   The whole series is a must for kids libraries (of course I think E is for Empire is the best)......