City by Numbers

My grandkids have an architect for a dad in Seattle, WA so after I first met the author years ago while he was visiting upstate NY, I knew this book was a keeper and bought it for our own library. As adults we enjoy the photo/artist view of the city by looking beyond what is first visible to the ordinary eye. It is a great way to get the young viewer to see detail after learning numbers. We purchsed both books...City by Numbers and its' partner, Alphabet City. THey are great for anyone interested in photography too.

I first got this book at a local library and had to purchase it because my kids liked it so much. Build great abstract thinking abilities.

This book should be a delight to both children and adults. The artwork is sohpisticated, beautifully rendered and subtle. The numbers are hidden in the reality of each scene. He could have manipulated these images so that the numbers would be more obvious but he lets the viewer see them in their own time. Excellent book for teaching children about numbers, art and the poetry of combining the two.

Stephen Johnson is by far the most creative artist/illustrator of educational children's books alive. He not only makes learning fun in Alphabet City and City by Numbers, but shows his remarkable talent as an artist. His illustrations, for lack of a better word, are flawless as can be seen clearly in the originals. He does not bring the book down to a child's level, but teaches them to appreciate art and learning at his level. He is completely remarkable and shows that it is rewarding to major in fine arts in college even if you wish to be an illustrator. No illustrator could produce the quality work that he has produced. Definitely buy this book. You will not be disappointed.