The Best New York City Books For Kids

Reading is one of the best ways for kids to discover the world and learn about places near and far. Since New York City is on many bucket lists, I’m sharing New York City books for kids.

Here are my top picks for New York City books for kids of all ages.

1) 123 New York: A Cool Counting Book by Puck (ages baby – three). One of my daughter’s first possessions, this little board book is a great introduction to NYC landmarks. There are no words, just numbers and pictures so you can read it to your babes in any language you’d like. Uno Statue of Liberty… Dos baseballs…Tres Brooklyn Bridges…they’ll be counting to ten in no time.

2) This is New York by Miroslav Sasek (ages three and up). I had this on my bookshelf when I was a kid and its still one of my favorites today. This classic storybook shows many details of city life with cartoon characters and colorful illustrations. It might seem a little dated but I still think it captures the spirit of New York.

3) Larry Gets Lost in New York City by John Skewes (ages three – seven). That lovable Larry is always getting lost somewhere. Follow the puppy’s escapades around Manhattan while he visits the city’s many landmarks.

4) A Walk in New York by Salvatore Rubbino (ages four – eight). Another one of my favorites, this beautifully illustrated book shows a boy and his dad sightseeing around New York. There are bits of trivia mixed in with the drawings so kids can learn all sorts of interesting NYC facts like the names of the marble lions outside the New York Public Library…can you guess…Patience and Fortitude.

5) My Subway Ride by Paul DuBois Jacobs (ages four – eight). This colorful book depicts the sounds and sights of the NYC subway system. Girls and boys will be equally amused by this one.

6) Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet (ages five – ten). If your family loves watching New York City’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, this book will become an immediate favorite. The story tells the true story of how the famous floats came to creation with gorgeous graphics and a bit of STEM education along the way.

7) You Can’t Take a Balloon into the Metropolitan Museum by Jacqueline Press Weitzman (ages five-eight). You either love or hate these wordless picture books. This one follows a yellow balloon as it floats all around Manhattan. Kids will recognize famous landmarks as well as paintings and sculptures as they use their imaginations to “read.”

8) Eloise: The Ultimate Edition by Kay Thompson (ages five-ten). For girls who love, love, love Eloise, this treasury is sure to please. This is a great choice for young travelers since it features Eloise in Moscow and Eloise in Paris as well as Eloise at Christmastime and the original Eloise story and scrapbook.

9) And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street by Dr. Seuss (ages five – nine). You might not know but this is Dr. Seuss’ very first children’s books. Your imagination will run wild as you follow young Marco’s ever-changing story. Mulberry Street is located in NYC’s Little Italy neighborhood where you can find Italian pastries and pasta, pasta, pasta.

10) The New York Times: 36 Hours USA & Canada by Barbara Ireland (Kids eight and up). For kids who are old enough to plan family adventures, this coffee table book is filled with travel itineraries and suggestions for trips to New York City (and beyond).

Books make great birthday, baby shower and holiday gifts and these are all sure to please globetrotting kids and parents alike. And, if you’re planning a New York-themed baby nursery, just stock a bookshelf with these and you’re halfway there.

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