If You Were a City

Maclear's cheerful series of rhymed queries beckons readers to consider the characteristics of an inviting, livable city. On an opening spread, two children with eyes closed ponder the question, "If you were a city, / how would you be?" as geometric shapes rain down around them. A page-turn later, "Would you be bookish, proud, but slightly leaning?" accompanies the image of a plaid-jacketed figure mimicking the Leaning Tower of Pisa, while "Buzzing, bright, and magic-seeming?" attends a star-strewn skyscape and sand-colored buildings towering over a canopied night bazaar. Subsequent pages propose myriad possibilities, some generalizing about pretend environments, others specifically conjuring real locales easily identified in Francesca's jam-packed, vector-style illustrations, which portray individuals of varying abilities, ages, and skin tones. It's a dreamy look at individuality and imagination that centers intriguing visual juxtapositions. Ages 3-5. (Oct.)

K-Gr 3--"If you were a city, how would you be? Would you be bookish, proud, but slightly leaning, buzzing, bright, and magic-seeming?" Maclear invites readers to travel the world from the comfort of an armchair and explore famous cities across the globe. Full-page vibrant illustrations will draw readers in to explore similarities and differences between the cities portrayed and, perhaps, the cities they have experienced. Children of various skin tones and nationalities are presented and celebrated; readers are encouraged to consider what traits of a city they find most important through the rhythmic and soothing text. A minor criticism is that the cities are not identified, which comes in the way of children fully grasping the book's concept. The metaphor is a strong one; adult guidance may see it through. VERDICT An optional yet enjoyable purchase for libraries looking to bolster their collection of picture books celebrating cities around the world.--Katherine Forsman