Children’s Books about New York City That Kids Love
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New York City is the perfect setting for countless books and movies. The Big Apple inspires people from all walks of life, including writers of all genres. Adults will love reading chick lit set in NYC and enjoy learning about the history of the city through historical fiction books. Books about New York City aren’t reserved just for adults though. The picture books set in New York City are great for children of all ages!
Three of my biggest passions in life are traveling, reading, and teaching. As a reading teacher and an avid reader who still loves reading kids books, it’s no surprise that I was very excited to put together this list of children’s books about New York City. The list includes a mix of classics from when I was younger and newer favorites that my students love today. Any fan or resident of the city will love these books. If you aren’t a fan of the city already, you soon will be!
Just like the city itself this list includes a diverse mix of picture books about New York City that will appeal to children of different ages and interests. If you live in New York or are visiting make sure to check out where to go based on each book. People of all ages love reading about a place and then having the opportunity to see it in person.
Children’s Books about New York City – Fiction
Nelly Takes New York: A Little Girl’s Adventures in the Big Apple
Nelly Takes New York, by Allison Pataki, is a story about a girl who goes in search of the “Big Apple.” The girl, Nelly, and her dog, Bagel, venture out to some of the most famous sights in the city. A couple of the places that Nelly believes she spots the Big Apple include the National Museum of History and Central Park. She almost gives up finding the inexplicable large red fruit. In the end Nelly learns what the “Big Apple” really means and how it means something different for every person.
In addition to a lot of places mentioned in the book, the book also has a lot going on in the illustrations. They showcase the diversity and excitement of the city. Children will also love noticing the surprising details in the artwork.
Where to Visit:
What child wouldn’t love going on a scavenger hunt? Visit one of the places in the book, such as Central Park and bring a list of people, animals and places to find. A turtle, the dog statue, someone riding a skateboard and a girl wearing red are some ideas to get you started! Visit the Central Park Zoo while in the park and watch the sea lion show just like Nelly.
The American Museum of Natural History is another great spot to check out. Whether it is the dinosaurs, the giant whale suspended from the ceiling or the space show, there is something to intrigue everyone.
Lost in the Library
Patience and Fortitude might not be quite as well known as Lady Liberty, but these marble statues come close. The two have been standing guard in front of the main branch of the New York Public Library since 1911. In Lost in the Library by Josh Funk, Patience goes missing and Fortitude needs to search through the library to find his friend.
It’s a cute story that focuses on friendship and reading, all within the walls of one of the most famous libraries in the country. The rhyming text will make you want to read the book again and again.
The sequel, Where is Our Library?, is just as good, if not better! Patience and Fortitude go on their nightly stroll to the children’s section of the library and notice all the books are missing. They then head out on an adventure throughout the city in search of the lost books. Look closely and you will see many of the children’s books about New York City that I included in this post are featured in the story!
Where to Visit:
The places mentioned in the library can all be found. Start by visiting the lions themselves outside of the main entrance. Continue inside to find the Frolicsome Girl statue and the lion head water fountain.
Go on your own scavenger hunt and visit Times Square and Central Park. Find the Alice in Wonderland and Hans Christian Anderson statues in the park. Visit as many of the city’s public libraries as you can.
Don’t forget to spend some time in the Children’s Center library which is now located across the street from the main branch of the NYPL. Of course you will know that after you read the book!
Red & Lulu
Christmastime in NYC is the most magical time of the year. Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares, takes place in NYC before Christmas one year. The story follows two cardinals, Red and Lulu, who live in a tree in a residential neighborhood. One day their tree is taken away with Lulu in it. Red needs to go in search of Lulu and finally finds her in the magnificent Rockefeller Center as the chosen Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree!
It is a fun Christmas story about one of NYC’s most time honored holiday traditions.
Where to Visit:
If you are visiting during December admire the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree for yourself. One of the best ways is by skating on the iconic rink in front of the tree.
Little Elliot, Big City
Mike Curato’s, Little Elliot, Big City is an adorable story about Elliot, a little elephant who struggles in the big city of NYC. The city is more of a backdrop to the storyline, but feeling small in such a big place is relatable to any New Yorker. It is a great friendship story with a good message about feeling important. We are never too little to make a difference!
Where to Visit:
Visit many of the iconic sights in the story like the flatiron building in Madison Square Park, the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge. Riding the subway for the first time can be intimidating. Just like Elliot, if you get a little mixed up, there will be someone to help you out!
How Little Lori Visited Times Square
You may know Maurice Sendak as the author of Where the Wild Things Are, but did you know he also wrote and illustrated a lot of other great children’s picture books? How Little Lori Visited Times Square is written by Amos Vogel and illustrated by Maurice Sendak.
Lori, a little boy wants to visit Times Square. Using many different types of transportation he goes on a journey around the city. He ends up everywhere but Times Square. That is until he meets a turtle who offers him a ride. You’ll have to read the book to find out if he makes it there or not!
Where to Visit:
Visit some of the places Lori ended up such as the Central Park Zoo. Take the 1 train all the way to South Ferry in southern Manhattan where you can enjoy views of the Statue of Liberty.
Nana in the City
In the fictional story Nana in the City, by Lauren Castillo, a little boy goes to visit his nana in NYC. He is apprehensive about the city because it feels too busy, loud, and scary for him. Through the simple narrative Nana shows her grandson how extraordinary the city is. He learns that the city isn’t the scary place that many children and especially adults think it is!
Where to Visit:
Experience New York just as the boy in the story did. Grab a pretzel from one of the many stands around the city. Take a moment to listen to the street performers. Get caught up in the hustle and bustle of riding the subway.
Ida, Always
Carin Levis’s fictional story, Ida, Always, is based on real events at the Central Park Zoo. It tells the story of two polar bears, Gus and Ida. These two friends love spending their days together. Eventually Ida becomes sick and Gus worries about losing his friend.
While this isn’t a pick me up story and it is quite sad, it can provide comfort to a child losing a loved one. It will also help children emphasize with animals and help them understand that they can be happy or sad just as people can.
Where to Visit:
Visit the Central Park Zoo. Ida and Gus are no longer alive and there are not any polar bears at the zoo now. You can see grizzly bears, snow monkeys, California sea lions, several different types of penguins and more.
The Curious Garden
In The Curious Garden by Peter Brown, Liam lives in a dark and dreary city without any green spaces. He decides to do something about that and turns a former railroad corridor into a garden. Soon the rest of the residents become gardeners and the city changes for the better.
The book was inspired by Manhattan’s High Line. Just like in the book the High Line is a former railroad track that was converted into a garden and public park. It now runs 1.45 miles along Manhattan’s west side.
Where to Visit:
The High Line has become one of Manhattan’s best green spaces. Without places like this NYC would be a dreary, concrete city just like the city in the beginning of The Curious Garden. Visit the High Line and see for yourself. It is a unique place to walk and be immersed in greenery right in the city.
Eloise at the Plaza
This wouldn’t be the list of the best children’s books about New York City without including the one and only Eloise. I love love love Eloise! Eloise at the Plaza, written by Kay Thompson, is the first in a small collection of books that feature the spunky Eloise.
This six year old girl lives at the famous Plaza Hotel in NYC with her nanny, pet turtle Skipperdee, and dog Weenie. She spends her days bouncing around the hotel, checking out what is going on and causing a bit of havoc. Her English nanny tries to keep her under control, but it is a challenging job caring for a little girl as busy as Eloise!
Where to Visit:
Eloise runs through many of the iconic rooms in the Plaza. You don’t need to be staying at the hotel to take a look around. You may want to behave slightly better than Eloise though!
The one stop you need to make at the Plaza is the Eloise shop. Yes, Eloise has her very own pink boutique store at the hotel. Clothes, dolls, accessories and more can be found inside. Eloise birthday parties complete with fashion shows can be booked. In the Palm Court enjoy an Eloise themed tea time. Go all out and stay at the Eloise suite that is decked out by designer Betsey Johnson, with all things Eloise.
Children’s Books about New York City – Non-Fiction
This is New York
Miroslav Sasek wrote a series of non-fiction picture books in the late 1950s and early 1960s that focus on different cities. Of course NYC was one of them and is featured in This is New York. While the book includes facts about the city, it reads more like a story. Some of the facts are a bit outdated, but in updated versions there are asterisks that direct you to more recent statistics at the end of the book.
It is interesting to see what has changed in the city since the book was originally published. Some lines like “Peanuts and almost everything else — you can buy from a machine” are quite amusing. The words and the pictures add to the retro and nostalgic feel of this children’s classic.
Where to Visit:
Where do I even start? So many of New York’s biggest attractions are described in the book including the Empire State Building, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Chinatown and Macy’s.
New York City Trails: Secret Stories & Other Cool Stuff
Lonely Planet’s New York City Trails is part of another series of non-fiction city books. It is geared towards older children, but the rich content will intrigue adults as well. It isn’t a book to read word for word in one sitting. At the same time no-one would say it is a boring non-fiction book thanks to the layout of each page with illustrations and blocks of text. It could even be used as a coffee table book!
It is jammed packed with information and facts about the city. Both the well known places like Times Square and lesser-known spots such as the Trash museum in East Harlem are included. The book covers a lot of topics, everything from sports, theater, parks, food, architecture and more! A couple pages are dedicated to each one.
As someone who lived in the city and was always out and about going somewhere, I learned a lot from this book. I liked the combination of discovering new places and new information with learning more about places I thought I already knew a lot about.
Where to Visit:
This is one of the best kids books about New York to read before you visit the city for the first time. You will learn a lot about the city, but it also is a great way to involve your children in choosing what to see and do in the Big Apple. This NYC itinerary for first time visitors can also help get you started.
Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade
We have all heard of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but do you know how it all began? In Melissa Sweet’s non-fiction book, Balloons Over Broadway, she tells the story of how the parade with the enormous balloons began.
It is a fascinating story of Tony Sarg’s life and how he invented the parade’s high flying balloons that we know and love today. As Sweet shares Sarg’s story her words are accompanied by detailed mixed media artwork that will catch your eye almost as much as the balloons themselves.
Don’t miss reading this book before watching the parade. You will have a whole new appreciation for this spectacular Thanksgiving Day tradition.
Where to Visit:
Will you be in New York City on Thanksgiving Day? Spend a few hours watching this famous parade in person. It is such a different experience than watching it on the TV. Yes, it will be a colder and more crowded endeavor, but well worth it. Also head to the Upper West Side the night before the parade to watch the balloons being blown up. You will most likely be able to see the balloons closer than you will during the parade.
And Tango Makes Three
And Tango Makes Three, written by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, takes place in Central Park Zoo. It’s a true story based on two chinstrap penguins, Roy and Silo. These two boy penguins spent all their time together. It was clear to their zookeeper that they wanted to have their own baby penguin. Thanks to the kind zookeeper they were able to care for a baby penguin, Tango, and start a family.
Due to the non-traditional family structure in the book, the book has become very controversial and continues to make the list of banned books in many libraries and schools. In reality it is a great way to introduce children to same-sex couples and represent different family structures in a picture book set in NYC.
Where to Visit:
Visit the penguins at Central Park Zoo. Roy and Tango have now passed away, but from the information I could gather Silo is still alive.
Her Right Foot
If you are looking for non-fiction books about New York City for kids, look no further than Dave Egger’s Her Right Foot. This is one of my favorite New York children’s book. While a lot of factual information is provided about the Statue of Liberty, it doesn’t feel like the author is spewing facts. It feels like Eggers is telling a story and having a conversation with the reader. There were so many moments where I was questioning or wondering something and in the next line Eggers would make a comment about that exact thought I was having!
It is a fast paced book that delivers the content well. Lady Liberty’s right foot comes into play in the last half of the book. I loved the message shared about why her foot is positioned as if she is walking. It is something I have never thought about….just as Eggers predicted!
Where to Visit:
Sail to Liberty Island and learn even more about this famous statue at the Statue of Liberty museum. Walk around the grounds and you will gain a new perspective just how big Lady Liberty really is. Reserve tickets ahead of time to go inside of the pedestal or the crown.
With a combination ticket you can visit both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on the same tour.
Twenty-One Elephants and Still Standing
Do you know how New Yorkers proved that the Brooklyn Bridge was sound? Thanks to Barnum of Barnum & Bailey Circus, elephants convinced the city’s residents that this great feat of workmanship was safe.
April Jones Prince writes about this 1883 event in Twenty-One Elephants and Still Standing. Even though the construction of the bridge is a story in itself, this book focuses on the events after its completion. The story ends with Barnum walking across the bridge with his elephants and proving the bridge is strong.
It seems so hard to believe, but this flowing text will make you want to believe it!
Where to Visit:
The Brooklyn Bridge has connected the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn since 1883. It is a must do activity! You can start walking from either borough. Walking from Brooklyn to Manhattan at sunset offers beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline. You can also take a Brooklyn Bridge walking tour.
Lights on Broadway: A Theatrical Tour from A to Z
A love of Broadway and live theater starts early. Lights on Broadway by Harriet Ziefert, with an introduction by Broadway performer Brian Stokes Mitchell, will teach young readers everything they want to know about the magical world of Broadway.
While this is an ABC book, it is geared towards older children. For every letter a new word is introduced and explained. Quotes from famous people who have worked on Broadway in any capacity from performer to set designer are included alongside the definitions and explanations. Both more familiar words such as “costume” and “ticket” and lesser known words like “grip” and “notices” are included.
Younger readers may enjoy the book if only the letters and what they stand for are read. The bold pictures are eye catching for all children. It is a great introduction to plays and musicals.
Where to Visit:
Attend a Broadway show! There are always a lot of child friendly shows on Broadway. Disney productions have colorful elaborate sets, familiar story lines, and fast-moving plots. They are perfect for children of all ages. With many ways to obtain discount tickets Broadway can be an affordable experience too.
I hope you are inspired to start planning some fun filled adventures after reading these children’s books about New York City!
More About New York City
BOOKS
BROADWAY
CHRISTMAS
ITINERARIES
LIFE IN NYC
MUSEUMS
TOURS
WHERE TO STAY
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10 Comments
ANUKRATI DOSI
That’s an interesting post. Loved going through it.
Krista
I don’t think I ever read a children’s book that was set in NYC when I was younger. The covers of the books all look really creative so I imagine they’re fun to read!
Jessica Kokoszki
I haven’t heard of most of these books. I need to get them for my library!!! The covers are beautiful.
The Fearless Foreigner
They are fun to read, even as an adult!
Emma
What great books, and this is such a good way to introduce kids to travel and appreciating different places. I’ve seen a few childrens books set in my city Vancouver, but I don’t ever remember reading books like this when I was young. Great list, I’ll have to recommend these to my friends with children
The Fearless Foreigner
Thanks! Yes, I think it is great to introduce children to different people, cultures and places early in life.
Tiffany from Mommy And Me Travels
We travel with our children all the time. We love to read about our upcoming vacations to get the kids excited. This is a great list of childrens books about NYC. We will definitely check some of these when we plan our trip there. Thanks!
The Fearless Foreigner
Thank you! I hope you and your kids enjoy these books 🙂
Mona
I’m an adult and want to read these 😆
The Fearless Foreigner
I really enjoyed them as an adult too!