PPBF: How Little Lori Visited Times Square

 

Author: Amos Vogel
Illustrator: Maurice Sendalk
Publisher: Harper Collins, 1963/1991
Ages: 4-8yrs
Themes: humorous stories, NYC, city life
Opening: One day Lori said to himself: “I want to see Times Square.”
Summary: A little boy wants to visit Times Square. He takes the subway too far south, the bus back too far north, a taxi without fare funds, a boat, a helicopter, a horse, an elevator, yet still he hasn’t made it. A turtle passes, very slowly, and very slowly asks why he cries, and very slowly offers to take him to his heart’s destination. You’ll have to read this nonsensical classic to find out what happens to them.

I like this book because: on the title page the reader is warned: “This is a very funny book and should not be read while drinking orange juice, or you will spill it!” Yes, it is is silly and so are the 3-color illustrations, and all the funny tidbits Sendalk designed into his illustrations (take note of the signage throughout). And pigeons!

Resources/activities: this would be a great book to accompany the transportation units, usually covered in first grade; discuss how one could get to Times Square – from wherever you happen to be; check out this Sendalk-oriented curriculum guide for 2/3rd graders from Louisville Free Public Library HERE

 

Perfect Picture Book Friday is on hiatus for the summer, but there are still plenty of selections on a themed and alphabetized list, each with teacher/parent resources, on Susanna Hill’s blog HERE