Parents' Guide to

Nana in the City

By Patricia Tauzer, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Gentle tale of grandma helping boy feel brave in new place.

Book Lauren Castillo Picture Book 2014
Nana in the City Poster Image

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What's the Story?

In NANA IN THE CITY, a young boy visits his Nana in New York City, and the noise, the crowds, the subway, and all the other strangeness frighten him. The city is busy and loud and filled with scary things. Nana decides she will take him out to show him all the wonderful things about city life. But first, she knits him a special cape to make him feel braver and help him through the first scary steps. By the end of the story, the cape has done its magic, the boy's world has grown, and he realizes how extraordinary the city is and that it's "the perfect place for Nana to live."

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This gentle, reassuring book that does a wonderful job of depicting the very loving relationship between a grandmother and her young grandson. The text in Nana in the City is simple, the message is solidly uplifting, and the artwork is fantastic. Castillo paints in vibrant oranges and red watercolors that definitely bring the story to life. Dark lines outlining parts of each illustration make the pictures pop with energy, and effects done with salt bring a gritty texture to sidewalks, streets, and other scenes of the city.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the author-illustrator use illustrations to enhance the text and give context to the adventures and feelings of the boy and his grandmother. How does she use color, or the lack of color, to change the emotion of the story?

  • What do the illustrations tell you about the relationship between the boy and his grandmother? How does she show the boy's changing attitude about the city? How did he feel in the beginning? How does he feel in the end? How do you think he will feel next time he visits?

  • How do you feel when you go someplace that is unfamiliar to you? Have you slept overnight at someplace other than your home? Did your feelings change over time? Did you have something like the boy's cape to make you braver? How do you think that helps?

Book Details

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