Little Kids, Big City: Tales from a Real House in New York City (With Lessons on Life and Love for Your Own Concrete Jungle) [Paperback]

Alex McCord (Author), Simon van Kempen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 6, 2010

Stars of Bravo TV's The Real Housewives of New York City, Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen, have a hit show and a great book, Little Kids, Big City, a lighthearted and critically acclaimed he-said, she-said rant, about their experiences raising their two young children in the Big Apple. More of a Momoir (and Dadoir) covering the last 10 years of their lives, Alex & Simon write with a unique and humorous insight into the challenges facing parents today. They use their own hard-won experience as a springboard to discuss life before children and their determination not to have any, followed by their journey and eventual change of heart and the rollercoaster ride of having two children in two years in a seemingly non-child-friendly environment. Rather than a preachy, how-to guide, Simon & Alex take the reader on a romp through the indignities and surprises that befell them. Their informative and often hair-raising stories of life in the concrete jungle make Little Kids, Big City a must-read for anyone who has ever had children, hated children or thought they might want to have them someday, as well as for any fan of their hit show.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen s surprisingly down to earth account of their early days of parenting in NYC is as remarkable in its honesty as it is in its detail. --Cecily von Ziegesar, New York Times bestselling author of the Gossip Girl novels and mother of two at PS Fab

Alex and Simon don't take themselves too seriously which seems to be essential to parenting. Their fresh he said she said perspective on parenting is humorous and insightful. --Bethenny Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of The Skinnygirl Dish: Easy Recipes for Your Naturally Thin Life

“A fun and entertaining read with an over-the-top enthusiasm for family and the joys of raising kids in the city. They manage to share lessons without sounding preachy and maintain a humorous light tone. --Alison Lowenstein, author of City Kid New York

About the Author

The married couple of Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen are first and foremost the proud parents of two wonderful and endlessly energetic and creative children, Johan and François. They also happen to star in the hit Bravo television show The Real Housewives of New York City, where they all enjoy (or suffer at the hands of) a modicum of celebrity. Simon runs the upscale boutique Hotel Chandler in Manhattan while Alex using her visual merchandising & graphic design skills, juggles several retail clients running the gamut from fashion to photography.When time allows she loves nothing more than to post her musings (as she's done many times) on the Huffington Post.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Sterling & Ross Publishers (April 6, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982139225
• ISBN-13: 978-0982139226
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.7 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (94 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #923,773 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

87 of 95 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A refreshing look at having children April 5, 2010

By B. Mollot

Format:Paperback

At first I was a little skeptical about reading this book. After the first few paragraphs I already decided that I liked it. This family seems real and they're not afraid to admit when they made mistakes or chose alternate ways of parenting. This is the kind of book that someone should read when they feel they're not fit for parenting. It gives the reader a view of the everyday life of having kids that most authors either avoid or forget. Not a bad choice!

81 of 89 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book Stands on Its Own Two Feet May 12, 2010

By Nina Malischev

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Like the majority of people who initially will buy this book, I did it out of curiosity. Watching the Real Housewives is a guilty pleasure for me. At the same time, I have fairly discerning tastes in literature and hoped that this wasn't another poorly-written (or transparently ghost-written) celebrity biography.
It was a very pleasant surprise to immediately get sucked into the charm and breeziness of this well-written book. Alex's opening statement on the TV Show is misleading as she says in a somewhat stilted voice, "For some people living in New York, status is everything". There is NONE of that attitude in the book. It is completely down-to-earth, very honest, and great fun. Nothing is glossed over, no excuses are made, and what emerges is a picture of a very real, loving family.
Simon and Alex talk about what works for them, and more importantly, what doesn't. They talk about their mistakes with a refreshing straight-forwardness.
My own children are grown, and we raised our family in the woods, not the big city, but so many of the coping strategies that Alex and Simon have come up with for surviving in the urban jungle apply no matter where you are, whether it is a redwood forest or the great suburban plain. The "message" of the book is to embrace life with gusto, live without fear, express your love, admit your mistakes, and always follow your instincts.
Even though the TV show is all about trendiness, materialism and keeping up with the Jones, what emerges from the book is a portrait of a very down-to-earth family that has the courage to live life on their own terms. They have their own, unique style which is beyond fashion or style magazine formulas, and they don't seem to care how it "plays" as long as it works for them.
In a way, I think it is unfortunate that this book is associated with a TV show, especially one as controversial as the Real Housewives. If you think this book was only written to cash in on their moments of fame, think again. It is a book that stands on its own two feet and in my opinion would have been as positively received if the authors were simply John and Jane Doe.
I enjoyed the book immensely, even read it in the bathtub because I didn't want to put it down. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who ever survived having small children, or anyone who currently has them. And I think prospective parents would also find this book to be very reassuring in that it presents actual situations and concrete solutions.
Mostly, it leaves you feeling that having children is fun. Which in fact, it is.

70 of 77 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read! April 3, 2010

By Alison

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I loved this book! As a mom, it relieved me to know that the challenges and joys of raising children in a city are not mine alone. At the same time, the book is written to resonate with anyone, no matter where you are. Life's simple yet stressful tasks (kids on an airplane anyone?!) can make you feel like a fish out of water. Alex and Simon show us that we've all been there and sometimes you get to be the parent of the kid who slept the whole flight! This book proves that not only are Alex and Simon normal, relatable parents but that they are doing what all of us are doing: the very best we can.