From Publishers Weekly
Central Park hums with activity in this convivial paean to a beloved refuge in the heart of Manhattan. In breezy rhymed couplets, Godwin (The Doll People) conveys the park's sounds and sights on a summer day ("Striike one! Striike two! An umpire's call. Craaack! Whoosh! Retorts the ball"). Verses that describe people's varied doings alternate with the refrain, "And the pigeons coo And the big dogs bark And the noises echo through the park." Root's (Cowboy Dreams) vibrantly hued, intentionally hazy paintings chronicle the goings-on described in the text and then some. The spread for the title page offers readers a peek into the window of an apartment building, where a boy sleeps, a model sailboat hanging on the wall above his bed. On subsequent spreads, the boy (sailboat in hand) and his father leave their building and walk to the park, where they meet up with two young pals and sail their toy boats in the pond. The wordless subplot invites youngsters to follow its principal players while taking in the more encompassing portrait of the bustling park. Offering a melodic read-aloud, this aptly titled, buoyant book should please young city- and country-dwellers alike. Ages 3-5.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
reSchool-Grade 2-While this book is an homage to Central Park, it is also a celebration of the people of New York City. The loving description includes verbal images and illustrations that work together seamlessly to present a joyful, busy portrait. Godwin's verses allow readers to feel as though they are in the park, hearing all the noises of a busy summer day. Buses pass by the entrance with horns blaring. Children cry, play, skate, and explore. With very few words, the author creates a living picture of the city and its green space. The illustrations are equally masterful. The proliferation of green and gold in the pictures reminds readers of the season and appear cool, calm, and serene, even with all the activity depicted. A multitude of families appears in the art, also highlighting the diversity of the city. Maps on the endpapers give readers an idea of the immensity of the area. This book will interest children who visit parks in their own town, but it will be a great addition to readers who may be traveling or want to learn more about New York. A true love song to Central Park.
Susan Marie Pitard, formerly at Weezie Library for Children, Nantucket Atheneum, MACopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
