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Parks
CCBC Review:
As iconic as Central Park is, it’s only one example of what a park can be. An impressively varied catalogue of real parks around the world invites the reader to think expansively about the characteristics, locations, and purposes of these spaces—which can be big, yes, but can also be small, dedicated patches of land in the middle of an urban street. “Parks are tidy” (like France’s Versailles Gardens, with their symmetrical design and neat, potted plants) and “parks are messy” (like Denmark’s Emdrup Junk Playground, an “adventure playground” full of objects repurposed for play). Parks can be found in sunny and snowy places. They can “fly” on an abandoned elevated railway, “float” on water, “twinkle” with stars, or “dazzle” with rows and rows of flowers. There are dog parks and national parks. Some parks protect wildlife, and others honor the dead. And, of course, “[p]arks play” (a topiary park) “and play” (a collection of sculptures meant for climbing) “and play some more” (a park filled with tires to explore). Vibrant acrylic paintings invite readers to linger on each page of an account that celebrates the great diversity of these public spaces, from the traditional to the wildly innovative. The back matter identifies each park shown throughout. ©2026 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Marc Majewski
CCBC Age Recommendation: 4-7
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Building/Construction
Community
Nature/Environment
Publisher:
Abrams
Publish Year: 2025
Pages: 40
ISBN: 9781419756825
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 333 Majewski