Ned Visits New York

Kip Cosson
KIPKIDS (2007)
ISBN 9780978938406
Reviewed by Stephanie, Parish (age 3), and Isaac (age 1) Rollins for Reader Views (5/07)

Kip Cosson moved from Texas to New York.  He now sells his hand-painted tee shirts in New York.  His designs have been in Glamour Magazine, Child Magazine, Kids Fashion Magazine, and in TV Guide.  I love the dedication page.  He made cartoon characters of all the people he acknowledges. 

Ned is the main character in “Ned Visits New York.”  Ned is a penguin from the South Pole.  He decides he needs a vacation.  He meets a mouse by the name of Meece.  They look at skyscrapers and go the Coney Island and ice skate at Central Park. 

They ride on an uptown train to Murray’s Cheese Restaurant.  There are taxis with all sorts of creatures.  A bird poops on Ned’s head.  Then they go to a street fair where they saw a “very cool artist selling his shirts to wear.”  There are a variety of shirts that Parish and Isaac were fascinated with. 

They ride the subway, cross the Brooklyn Bridge, ride a taxi through Times Square, and watch a Broadway show.  Ned then goes back to the South Pole. 

“Which pictures do you like best?”
“HMMM…Let’s see.”  She puts her finger to her mouth in the thinking position. 
“I like that one.”  She points to the dancers.

“They are dancers on Broadway.  They must be great dancers.  Did you see the train?”

“That is not a train.”  She points to the wheels.

“I suppose you could also call it a trolley.  Do you want to ride on a roller coaster like that?”  I point to the Coney Island picture.

“No.  I would cry.”

“I would, too.  Look at all of the tee shirts!  Which is your favorite?”

“I like this one and this one.”  She points to the pink one with a red heart and the pink ballerina one.

“I think Isaac would like the one with the cow.  Do you want to keep this book or give it away?”

“I want to keep it.”

Parish and Isaac were so interested in the pictures that they did not want me to read it.  I finally gave up trying to make them listen to me.  We just talked about the pictures.  The pictures themselves do tell a story, even without the words.  The words are simple to read for beginning readers.  Toddlers, preschoolers, and beginning readers should enjoy “Ned Visits New York.” 

Make comment on weblog