Bustling Cities of the World

Ages 9 to 12

A unique guide to 30 of the world’s most beloved cities, including 5 U.S. cities, accompanied by more than 1,000 gorgeous watercolor illustrations.This captivating book takes kids on a globe-trotting journey through the world’s most picturesque cities, from the rain-soaked streets of London to the blooming cherry blossoms of Kyoto and the sun-scorched alleys of Cairo. It features more than 1,000 individual watercolor illustrations of 30 cities, including 5 cities from the USA:New YorkSan FranciscoMiamiNew OrleansSanta FeBy being immersed in the vibrant illustrations, kids will feel like they’re right there in each location, whether they’re boarding a red double-decker bus in London or zigzagging through crowds in a tuk-tuk in Cairo. As we stroll along streets steeped in history, we’ll admire ancient monuments and marvel at some wonders of modern architecture. And when we’re ready for a break, we can taste local delicacies, from croissants in France to sushi in Japan.And the vibrant illustrations are matched by the vibrant writing style, as in this sample entry:LISBON"To Lisbon and beyond!" cries the famous explorer Vasco da Gama, stocking up on sardines and mussels before leaving on a long ocean voyage from Europe’s westernmost capital. The Belém Tower’s call echoes across the vast Atlantic Ocean, its azulejos – painted tin-glazed ceramic tilework – shimmering blue and white, beckoning him to undiscovered lands!But this book is more than just a visual and travel journey. It also includes an Indigenous Land Acknowledgment for each city where Europeans took over lands originally occupied by native tribes in North America, Australia, and elsewhere, such as this entry for New York City:We gratefully acknowledge that New York City stands upon the homelands of the Wappinger and the Munsee Lenape, Indigenous peoples who have an enduring connection to this place despite being forcibly displaced by European colonization.Additionally, this book is a lightly informative guide filled with fun little tidbits of info, with the text and images both answering all kinds of fun questions, such as:Where were the first jeans were made?Where did chewing gum originate?Where are the Nobel Prizes awarded?Where can you find red pandas?Where can you find floating villages with fisherman’s huts on stilts?Where can you find cool street art?Where can you see both Cadillacs and alligators?Where did both Albert Einstein and David Bowie live?From the popular illustrator behind the best-selling Nature’s Wonderful Colors series (Colors in Nature, Colors of Habitats, and Shapes and Patterns in Nature), this vibrant guide is a beautiful addition to any bookshelf. The stunning watercolor illustrations by Magdalena Konecna bring each city vividly to life, and the equally vivid descriptions provide enthusiastic yet succinct information about each destination. Whether you’re planning your next trip or simply exploring from the comforts of home, Bustling Cities of the World is a journey that kids aged 9–12 won’t want to miss.

About the Author

Children’s book author Jana Sedlackova enjoys, among other things, singing in a choir and decorating gingerbread during Christmas. Her love for fairytales fuels her conviction that those who don’t read them are still searching for the perfect one. She graduated from the School of Textile Design and Management in Brno, Czech Republic. Magdalena Konecna illustrated her first book when she was only 17 years old. Her main sources of inspiration are her dreams and travels and the natural world. You can find her pictures on greeting cards and in notebooks, as well as in various publications. She lives and works in the Czech Republic.