C is for City

from the book:

“B is for butcher or
breakfast with bagels
or block-party bands
out on hot summer nights.

“C is for city or
cabbies named Clarence
or cool cats who chat
under boulevard lights…”

from C Is for City
© 1995 by Nikki Grimes

Awards and Recognition

100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

Resources

Reviews

City is the operative word in this hustling, bustling, urban ABC book … The rhymes themselves are quite clever and packed with vocabulary-expanding images. Each illustration is a hearty slice of urban life, with all its intersecting dramas and scenes within scenes … Certainly city children will identify with the book, but any child should find in its busy illustrations much worth discussing or poring over alone. (Booklist)

From A to Z, rhythm and alliteration effectively describe the joys of a city. The rhyming text is accompanied by highly detailed illustrations in glowing neon colors, depicting a pristine New York City. Additional items that start with the featured letter fill each page and are carefully listed in the back of the book. Both text and art create a finding game in this cleverly conceived book. (The Horn Book)

This well-thought-out tour takes kids from art shows to apartments … to zoos and zillions of churches … High energy illustrations. (The Los Angeles Times)

New York City is celebrated in an exuberant alphabet … Brilliant, realistic paintings … A must for early readers, city dwellers or not. (Children’s Book Review Service)

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