ABC NYC: A Book about Seeing New York City

We live in NYC and I was looking for an ABC book for my daughter's 2nd birthday. There were several on NY so I almost got one, but the text was a little too advanced than what I was looking for, and the art was mediocre. Then I was browsing in a bookstore and saw this one on display. It took one skim and I bought it and we LOVE it. With black & white photos, bold colors, and letters straight from the city, it's more "New York" than any book with painted pictures could ever be. I think my favorite is "M is for Manhole - there are 500,000 to jump on!" So so true. But then, "J is for Jackhammer - cover your ears" is also too true. It's a perfect book for children and grown-ups to share together and bond over the ever-unique experience that is New York City.

Joanne Dugan's concept of life's daily NYC language, illustrates how both an adult and child see and talk about their world together. Goodbye Barney, Hello Barneys New York for the child in us all and the parents that helped form our world. What a wonderful experience for all involved; International tourists, former New Yorkers, uptown/downtown personalities and suburbanites from the greater metropolitan area. Reality WOW what a concept. How lovely to see it lived and contained in gestural photographs of spirited moments. I look forward to other cities, indigenously revealed, so that additional communities can be seen through her magnificent lens!

Fresh approach to a children's book. I loved seeing what came next with every letter. Trying to guess where each photo took place was fun too. Great gift item. I highly recommend getting your own copy of this book.

So much more than an ABC book. A beautiful take on seeing New York. The perfect gift for any New York baby or New York couple.

This is a beautiful and novel twist on the alphabet primer that will make learning the A-B-Cs more fun for both parents and kids. The compelling photographs capture the unique character of New York's letters and landmarks, and the "urban grid" design brings the photographs and text together perfectly. If you are a city parent with young kids or you just love New York, this book belongs in your home. The only trouble is you may not be able to decide whether it belongs on your child's nightstand or your coffee table. Bravo to author Dugan and designer Hovland!