Description
Product Description
Before she was an iconic First Lady of the United States, Jackie Kennedy was a born-and-raised New Yorker. She loved everything about her city, from the natural beauty of the parks to the architectural history of the buildings. So when the owners of Grand Central wanted to build a skyscraper on top of the famous train station, Jackie knew they had to be stopped. She helped inspire thousands of people to come together and fight to protect the historic landmark. From letter-writing campaigns all the way to the Supreme Court, this little-known story celebrates winning in the face of immeasurable odds and how one person can make a big difference.
From School Library Journal
Gr 1–5—Beginning with a few pages of background about Jackie Kennedy and the work she put into restoring the White House, this book then delves into the history and cultural significance of New York City's Grand Central Station. For the most part, the author uses the diminutive "Jackie," depicting the former first lady as a determined but approachable figure who made preserving Grand Central a personal mission, participating in press conferences, fund-raising, lobbying, and demonstrations. Wing does an admirable job of describing a complex situation, making it understandable for a young audience and conveying the amount of time and effort required of Kennedy and many others to achieve the ultimate victory. The illustrations—rendered in watercolor, gouache, and ink, with spot colors and hand lettering added digitally—employ a variety of perspectives that give the book a cinematic quality. Whether using extreme close-ups, large-scale landscapes, or multi-illustration pages suggesting the passage of time, the visuals are energetic and multidimensional. In an artistic choice that may be puzzling to readers, Kennedy and other female characters often have sticklike legs that end in points rather than feet, while male figures are presented proportionally. Even the cover image portrays Kennedy more as a paper doll than human, which is strange in a book about a powerful woman who used her influence for the greater good. VERDICT While the text makes this title a great addition to nonfiction shelves, some of the illustrations may distract from the message.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA
Review
★ "What a great idea for a book!... an offering as charming as it is informative." —Booklist, starred review
★ "...an inspiring historical episode that also makes a strong case for the general value of preserving our country's architectural treasures. Grand, in several ways."
—Kirkus, starred review
From the Author
I can't image Grand Central with a skyscraper on top of it! If it weren't for Jackie Kennedy Onassis and her group who fought for the building, it might not be there as it is today in all its historic glory.
From the Inside Flap
Natasha Wing and Alexandra Boiger both say that a visit to Grand Central is not complete without walking into the Main Concourse and looking up - where the stars shine from the cerulean ceiling.
About the Author
Natasha Wing is the author of many fiction and nonfiction picture books, including the popular Night Before series. She lives in Colorado. www.natashawing.com
Alexandra Boiger grew up in Munich, Germany. She has illustrated many picture and chapter books, including five popular books about ballerina Tallulah and She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton. She lives in Northern California. Visit her online at alexandraboiger.com and on Instagram @Alexandra_Boiger.
Features
- HMH