Cityblock
An Abrams Block Book Series
What’s inside...
Cityblock, part of the Abrams Block Book series, takes young readers on a journey through city life, exploring its sights and sounds through die-cut pages, simple illustrations, and interactive experiences. The book is divided into three sections, focusing on transportation, attractions, and food in the city, featuring 24 different aspects of urban life. Each section starts with a broad city scene and then zooms in on the small, unique neighborhoods. With its durable, fold-out pages and retro-inspired artwork by Peski Studio, Cityblock captures the essence of city living for children living in or dreaming about urban hubs like New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and more. The series also includes other subjects like Alphablock, Countablock, and Dinoblock, making it a perfect collection for young explorers.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
1-3
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite part of the city we explored in the book and why?
If you could add one place to the city in the book, what would it be and what would you do there?
How do you think the people in the city feel about their community and neighbors?
Can you think of ways we can help make our own neighborhood like the one in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the cityscape in the book. Ask them to imagine living in such a place and explore notions of community and belonging. Use the book’s vivid illustrations to discuss different roles people play in a city, fostering a sense of awareness and appreciation for diverse communities.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding urban life
Explanation: Through engaging die-cut pages, 'Cityblock' explores the hustle and bustle of city life, showcasing various aspects such as transportation, food, and daily activities.
Real-World Application: Children can gain an appreciation for the diversity and dynamics of urban environments, fostering a more inclusive perspective from a young age.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of community workers
Explanation: 'Cityblock' highlights various community workers and their crucial roles within a city, such as firefighters and market vendors.
Real-World Application: This encourages respect and appreciation for those who contribute to the functioning of their own communities, teaching children the value of different jobs and communal living.
Example Lesson: Counting and basic math concepts
Explanation: The book incorporates elements of counting and simple mathematical operations as children explore different city elements.
Real-World Application: Children can practice their counting skills in real-life situations, such as counting the number of buses they see or calculating small amounts during shopping trips, enhancing their numeracy skills.
Example Lesson: Exploration and curiosity
Explanation: 'Cityblock' encourages exploration of different elements of a city, stimulating curiosity about the world.
Real-World Application: This lesson nurtures a child's natural inclination to explore and ask questions about their surroundings, promoting lifelong learning and curiosity.
Example Lesson: Importance of social interactions
Explanation: The book portrays various social interactions between city dwellers, emphasizing the importance of social relationships and cooperation.
Real-World Application: Children learn to navigate and cherish social interactions, which is essential for building communication skills and understanding social cues in their everyday lives.