What do Prospect Park, Coney Island, and Atlantic Avenue have in common? They are all located in Brooklyn, New York, a magical place where you can listen to jazz music, eat bagels and lox, and sit on the stoop of a brownstone and daydream. Children will recognize aspects of their own neighborhoods in this celebration of urban culture and community.
“Alko's cheery mixed-media collages feature everything from ticket stubs to subway tiles to tearings from the New York Times best-seller list, accompanied by broad-brush paintings of the city's multicultural inhabitants. In this spirited rendition of Brooklyn, a baby-toting mother celebrates the local outdoor pleasures alongside an interracial couple, a mustachioed gentleman in his 50s and a blond girl in a wheelchair. A particularly gorgeous Mermaid Parade struts by for the letter M. With hoopla like this, wavering Manhattanites may wind up in Fort Greene rather than Larchmont.” —The New York Times
“The most colorful, populous borough of New York City comes alive in this eye-popping alphabet book.” —School Library Journal
“...a loving tribute that successfully captures Brooklyn's diversity and character.” —Publishers Weekly, starred
“...a welcome celebration of its rich ethnic, culinary, racial and religious diversity.” —Kirkus
“The artwork is bright, clear, and just a little surreal as subway maps and grids are incorporated into most of the paintings.” —School Library Journal on My Subway Ride
“Funky, fun gouache and mixed-media illustrations . . . refreshingly nondidactic story.” —Booklist on I'm Your Peanut Butter Big Brother
“[The book] will certainly be appreciated by biracial families, and the loving and anticipatory atmosphere may connect with any expectant family wondering who the new baby will take after.” —School Library Journal on I'm Your Peanut Butter Big Brother