Old Penn Station [Hardcover]

William Low (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 3, 2007 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

A beautiful tribute to the glory of the original Pennsylvania Railroad Station
 
During the first half of the 20th century, the original Pennsylvania Station was one of New York City’s grandest landmarks, a palace in the middle of Manhattan. William Low’s glorious illustrations pay close attention to detail while still encompassing the large-scale grandeur of Penn Station. 

 

Old Penn Station follows a very specific piece of New York City history, but it’s not just a New York book.  The author’s research carefully addresses the whole history of the building, from construction to destruction, ending with an acknowledgment of its lasting legacy in terms of historical preservation. Spaces can be powerful, and Old Penn Station honors one particular powerful space which is sure to engender discussion about other historical buildings and monuments all across the nation.

This is a classic, beautiful book for history lovers, train lovers, and art lovers alike.

 

Old Penn Station is a 2007 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year and a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3–6—Once upon a time, the railroad was the way to travel, and the Pennsylvania Railroad Company was one of the best in the business. Blocked from reaching its Manhattan goal by the depths of the Hudson River, and with a bravado showing just what money can do, the company hired workers to tunnel under and an architectural firm to build the then-grandest railroad depot going—Pennsylvania Station. In this heavily pictorial, slim volume, Low's lyrical text and handsome illustrations pay tribute to an imposing piece of American architecture, describing its cultural impact both in its existence and its destruction. This book opens a nostalgic window into its magical vastness, and mourns its loss—reduced to rubble dumped into the nearby Jersey marshes. Similar in tone to Harvey Stevenson's equally attractive Looking at Liberty (HarperCollins, 2003), Low's compassionate pen and artistic eye may have children taking second, assessing looks at "old" buildings headed for the wrecker's ball. An enlivening addition to the usually somnolent 385.3's.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

As in Chinatown (1997), Low contributes both words and pictures in this ode to New York City's Pennsylvania Station. Introductory pages describe why and how the glorious train station was erected. Later spreads focus on how the building was utilized before it fell into disuse and was finally demolished to make way for the smaller, subterranean station used today. Low includes lots of specifics (the name of the firm that designed the station; the amount of granite used for the project), but the details aren't always integrated into a captivating whole. The artwork, however, is magnificent. Full-spread, oil-and-digital, mixed-media paintings depicting people moving through the beautiful structure will draw children into Low's underlying message: "Buildings are not just concrete and steel. They are the heart and soul of all great cities." Teachers will welcome the classroom connections in the companion guide, which is^B available on the publisher's Web site. Pair this with Susan Goodman's Skyscraper (2004) and Lynn Curlee's Skyscraper (2007) for more about the structures that make up a city. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (April 3, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805079254
• ISBN-13: 978-0805079258
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #246,629 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #49 in Books > Children's Books > Transportation > Trains
  • #54 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Architecture
  • #96 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Architectural

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Important Story Worth Knowing, July 13, 2008

By 

Fred Fandango (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Old Penn Station (Hardcover)

My 7-year-old son and I both enjoy this book. It tells the simple, but poignent story of the destruction of the grand old Pennsylvania station in New York, by a world entralled with the automobile and unable to see a future in passenger train travel. With today's $4.00/gallon gas prices, the shortsightedness is all too apparent. I have often marveled at how plain and uninviting (and difficult to access) the current Penn Station is. Well, this is the story why. My son is a big fan of trains and he enjoys the beautiful illustrations. This book is not on the usual lists of great, prize winning children's books, but it should be.

For special insight into this book and its wonderful illustrations, see:

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful children's book, June 28, 2007

By 

Bo "Nikon" (NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Old Penn Station (Hardcover)

Obviously the previous reviewer expected an adult's illustrated history book. That it is not. Its a wonderful children's book with lots of thoughtful and painstaking details. My kids look at the pictures and imagine what it would be like to be in the station.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, July 30, 2007

By 

Terrence Hewitt (San Antonio TX.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Old Penn Station (Hardcover)

Finally a book that dosn't dumb it down for kids. We received it 2 weeks ago and we still love exploring it again again. It seems there is always something new we find in the illistrations.