Review: The Big Apple -- Not Just for Children
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 16, 2011
This 2011 e-book is one in a series on places you might take your children.  Obviously, this one is about New York City.  Although it was designed to peak the child's interest in discovering where to go and what to do, it is an asset for both the adult traveler and the child.  Since it is an e-book, it is hard to describe the size, but if you printed it out on 8 x 10 paper, it would be about 66 pages in total--so, it is a decent size.The book begins with a little history and some dates.  New York was inhabited by the Lenape Native Americans, when discovered by Giovanni daVerrazzano.  Hmmmm-guess that's where the Veranzano Bridge got its name.  Manhattan was purchased by Dutch Colonial Governor Peter Minuit for 50 guilders/approximately $1,000.  Want to know why NY is called the Big Apple?  Read the rest of the review and maybe I'll tell you---he he he.)Central Park is the most visited city park in America, with 25-35 million folks visiting it every year.  Visit a 34-ton meteorite at the Arthur Ross Hall of Meteorites.  Stroll through the 46 exhibition halls at the American Museum of Natural History, where scenes for films such as Spider Man 2 were shot. When in Times Square, check out the M & M Store, near where the great ball has dropped almost every year since it began in 1907.  Check out Bubba Gump Shrimp Company for a fun time and good food.  I love Bubba Gump Shrimp and the M & M Store!)There is tons of info in this little book.  Color photos, websites, and hyperlinks are abundant in case you want more info.  Addresses and phone numbers are often provided, as well as eateries local to the attraction.Among the many attractions listed are:* The Brooklyn Bridge* Central Park* Metropolitan Museum of Art* Grand Central Terminal* Radio City Music Hall* St. Patrick's Cathedral* United Nations Headquarters* Sony Wonder Technology Lab* Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum* Greenwich Village* Children's Museum of Manhattan* Statue of Liberty* Coney Island* Ellis Island* And much, much more. . .NY was named the Big Apple by jazz musicians in the 1930s, who referred to cities as "apples".  Since NYC was so big, it became known as "the Big Apple".  another neat fact from the book)I believe a book like this is a fantastic idea, because it gives the child a chance to look at what there is to see and do, a way to participate in discussions with the folks after looking through the book.  A way to get excited and involved, and to be able to bring back an appreciation of what they saw to school discussions."Mom, I want to see the Empire State Building!  Do you know why they built the spire on top of the building?" (answer, picture, and hyper-links in the book).I love Manhattan and have been there quite a few times in the last 5 years.  Having seen some of the places mentioned, I think you will love the book and find it very handy!