City of Neighbors

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 6

A splash of paint, a place to sit, a popup park or playground bring life and a sense of fun to our cities.Neighborhoods where people look out for each other, eat together, make art and build community are healthier, happier, greener and cleaner. Journey around the world to discover how people have been dreaming up new ways to ensure their cities and neighbourhoods are creative, inclusive and environmentally sustainable.

These placemaking ideas can be big — like the skateboard park built on the grounds of an orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya — or small — like the painted rock snake that winds along a beach in Toronto, Ontario. Together, we can create public spaces where everyone belongs. Includes a list of ideas for children to get involved in their neighborhoods, along with a glossary and sources for further reading.

The ThinkCities series is inspired by the urgency for new approaches to city life as a result of climate change, population growth and increased density. It highlights the challenges and risks cities face, but also offers hope for building resilience, sustainability and quality of life as young people advocate for themselves and their communities.

About the Author

ANDREA CURTIS's children's non-fiction titles include A Forest in the City, City of Water, City Street are for People and City of Neighbors in the ThinkCities series. She has also written the young adult novel Big Water. Andrea lives with her family in Toronto, Ontario, where she grows veggies, explores the ravines and spends as much time as possible on her bike.

KATY DOCKRILL is an honors graduate from Ontario College of Art and Design. Her fresh brush-and-ink illustrations have attracted a wide range of clients, and she has won a number of awards for her editorial work. She has illustrated City of Water and City of Neighbors in the ThinkCities series and A Voice for the Spirit Bears by Carmen Oliver, among other titles, as well as many covers for children's novels. Katy lives with her family in Toronto, Ontario.