Parents' Guide to

Uptown

By Patricia Tauzer, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Harlem is home in this jazzy award-winner.

Book Bryan Collier Picture Book 2000
Uptown Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

See all

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

A young African-American boy takes the reader on a tour of the sights and sounds of Harlem, his hometown.

Is It Any Good?

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

Each page in UPTOWN is a masterpiece; the words are simple statements followed by short explanations that show why the boy loves this place. Kids and adults alike will enjoy each step as the young African-American boy leads them through his neighborhood with its chicken and waffles, rows of brownstones that look like blocks of chocolate, jumping vibes of 125th Street, jazz, barbershops, orange sunsets, and songs of the Harlem Boys Choir. The words wend from one colorful page to the next as he moves through aromas, sights, and sounds, noting the combinations that blend together to make Harlem the exciting world it is.

This collage of life is echoed brilliantly in Bryan Collier's illustrations, a spectacular blend of cut paper and watercolor. The cuttings and patterns create the sound of the city, the exciting joyful bustle of people going about their lives in the neighborhood. This award-winning book is truly a feast for the senses.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what it would be like to live in a city, especially New York and Harlem. Would you like the trains, the bustle, the brownstones hooked one to another? Do you agree that chicken and waffles is a strange combination? Would you like it? What about jazz, basketball, and going to church? What is a Van der Veer photograph, or have you heard the Harlem Boys Choir? Does the boy seem to like these things? How do you know? Kids might enjoy talking about the things that make their neighborhoods special. If they were writing this book, what kinds of things would they show people about the places where they live?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate