Nana in the City

A 2015 Caldecott Honor Book 

In this magical picture book, a young boy spends an overnight visit with his nana and is frightened to find that the city where she lives is filled with noise and crowds and scary things. But then Nana makes him a special cape to help him be brave, and soon the everyday sights, sounds, and smells of the city are not scary—but wonderful. The succinct text is paired with watercolor illustrations that capture all the vitality, energy, and beauty of the city.

*A 2015 Caldecott Honor Book* 

Huffington Post Best Picture Book about Family 

An NYPL 100 Books for Reading and Sharing 

A 100 Scope Notes Top 20 Book of 2014 

* "[Nana in the City] deserves a place on the shelf of classic New York City picture books." 

—Publishers Weekly, starred review 

"Castillo's soft, warmly colored art expresses the child's changing feelings about the city while also depicting the characters' close bond." 

—Kirkus 

"A fine example of how firsthand experience can overcome initial fear." 

—School Library Journal

"A rewarding picture book with a vibrant setting." 

—Booklist 

"The accessible story arc outlines worthwhile messages about openness to new experiences and changing one's persepctive, all couched in the security of spending time with a loved one." 

—Horn Book Magazine