Member Reviews

The book features the landmarks of 12 cities, popular touristic destinations, not all of them capital cities - among which Berlin, Tokyo, Moscow, Barcelona, Rome, Sydney - that further on the reader have to find on a crowded image. The choice of landmarks is generally fine, but when it comes to the things to look for in some of the cities, I think there were some mistkes, probably due to the lack of familiarity with the places themselves: like, for instance, the ping pong in Berlin which is as popular as soccer so anything particular about it, or the 'living statue' on Rambla - which is actually a reality of many European cities.
The big city illustrations were a bit too crowded and overwhelming and the style was not my style in terms of visual representations, but the specific drawings for landmarks and things to look for were pleasant.
You can use the book as a good travel companion during medium and long flights, but also to complete the information acquired during the geography lessons.

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Cities Around the World is a beautiful addition to the geography shelves of any home or school library. The detailed illustrations take the readers on a journey in to the select cities and give ideas for hours of learning and play. I have spent a good few hours engaged in the intricacies of the illustrations while the toddler has browsed through the book with an interest that surprised me. It's eye catching and perfect for all the geography enthusiasts in your life.

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A reasonable fist at a geography primer dressed up as a Where's Wally book, but not without many issues. I think the formatting misses out, by having a whole page for the key and info for the young student, and only one page for the image we're seeking things in in each instance. The artwork could have been a lot better – everyone looks ugly, and while the buildings and landmarks we're after are accurate the whole book failed to really appeal to my eyes. The other problem I have is that it's too easy – given six buildings in each capital city to locate they're in a landscape featuring not that many more, so even if things are layered behind and in front of other things they're not that hard to spot. Also, we get several stereotypical things to find (New York cabs, etc) – and warned of danger in finding the wrong one. Not in a diorama featuring a whopping three cars we're not – and I swear Berlin only has the one ping-pong bat and no red herrings. Moscow only has the one balalaika, yet again, so while these books seldom have a use-twice appeal, this one seems to desperately limit itself to once through only. Still, you do get a bonus search for specific people before you've even hit the core of the book, and the answer pages also act as keys for everything else you've clapped eyes on, so you like as not will repeat the experience. But not as often and as happily as with other, similar volumes. Not a failure, but definitely a book with the feel of a missed opportunity. Two and a half stars.

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Cities Around the World creates a fresh way for children to learn about and engage with the world. The book travels through 12 cities world wide. At each stop, there is a simple description of the city and then reviews major landmarks to find on the next page. Children who loved Where's Waldo or anything like that will certainly love Cities Around the World. I look forward to sharing it with my class!

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I received this ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great book for children on so many different levels. It features some very famous cities from around the world and introduces them to the reader through food, landmarks, people and animals. It has a small write up under each item there is to find about what it is and it’s significance. This part is better for slightly older children, but then it has an eye spy challenge with an answer key at the back, which everyone can enjoy. I found myself thoroughly enjoying the Toronto one since it’s where I call home.
This was super fun and I highly recommend it.

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A cool search and find book. Learn different places and items that relate to the 12 cities tat are in the book.

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In Cities Around the World, children will search for famous landmarks as well as the small things that symbolize a city. Hot dogs in Manhattan anyone? The cities include New York, London,Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona,Rome, Moscow, Beijing, Tokyo, Sydney and Toronto. The iconic sites are noted as for example, the River Seine and Musee D'Orsay in Paris or Saint Patrick's Cathedral and the Statue of Liberty in New York. In addition, there are travelers to find and other sights to hunt for in addition to the landmarks.

The detailed illustrations are in muted tones. The details are intriguing and I especially enjoyed looking at the people. Children will enjoy searching each city and will learn about places to visit along the way. Of note, the puzzles are of medium difficulty.

Thank to NetGalley and the publisher for this fun trip in exchange for an honest review.

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I've been reading this at night with my youngest daughter and we both love it. She asks to do "just one more city" each time. You look for specific landmarks and other famous things about each city, and learn a ton along the way. Really fun and educational. I'm thinking of getting her a copy for Christmas.

It covers NYC, Paris, Amsterdam, London, Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Beijing, Tokyo, Sydney, Toronto and Moscow. You look for famous architecture, iconic things the city is named for, etc. This would be great for unit studies about countries but is also just fun.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.

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This book is an amazing visual portrait of the culture of a variety of cities. I could probably justify purchasing it for my middle school library as a browsing book but with a limited budget I need to prioritize elsewhere. It would be great in a middle school geography classroom for kids who finish early. It would spark the curiosity of many students.

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Its a beautifully illustrated book, has hotspots around the major cities. The problem the book is it isn't really that informative but more of a descriptive book. It is made for children but I think having a bit more information would have been helpful. Also, it just covers around 12 cities, I think the book could be made more extensive. Personally was quite hurt to not find any Indian city there, whereas India has always been a great tourist spot. Other than that, the book was beautifully illustrated and will sell cuz of the artwork more than the writing.

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A challenging search and find book that takes you on an adventure around the world. Fun drawings and colourful pages make each trip a delight and I enjoyed the level of difficulty.

Each city has its own information to learn a bit about each building or landmark.

I feel this is an old idea with a new twist. And it was executed very well.

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In "Where's Waldo" style this seek and find book manages sneaky education. The page with the items to find includes short, but very informative, explanations of them. There is a good mix of history and culture included. Very fun!

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This had super cute art and over all was a perfectly fine look and find book. My kids really enjoyed it, and it made them ask lots of questions about historical buildings.

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This a clever and ambitious book.
It is like Where’s Wally with a passport.
12 Cities across our wonderful world have been captured within an illustrated collage of buildings, people, famous tie-ins and customs of each place.
The task for you is to identify each one and find the images which have been absorbed into the cityscape.
When I was younger I did pictorial jigsaws of Great Britain than in addition to the outlines map had illustrations of famous places like Stonehenge. In this way I learned more about the U.K.
In a similar manner the repetitive search of this 12 cities will help reInforce those aspects that make them tourist attractions and places to visit.
So this simple book serves to inspire travel; demonstrate differences and those aspects that unite our world. The puzzles are fun and challenging and will provide hours of fun.
After a while the book will enable further study and research to find out more about these terrific places from New York to Rome and London to Sydney.
Side challenges ask for closer observation and counting of objects within the scene. Also some pictures are repeated but have slight differences - the task is to match the correct one.
Stimulating, promoting conversations and use of that left side of our brains. I love books that expand a young person’s imagination, tease and test them with puzzles and promote education through fun and play.
Here as stated, readers here are left with an urge to travel and a lasting appreciation of diversity.

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Cities Around the World by Lucy Menzies is an informative, beautifully illustrated search and find that would be a treasured addition to any bookshelf. Featuring twelve cosmopolitan cities from around the world, children and adults alike will be charmed by the gloriously detailed illustrations by Tilly as they seek out the unique details cleverly hidden in each beautiful scape. Details of each city's most well known landmarks are highlighted, in addition to some individual elements that make each iconic city truly special in its own right. The illustrations provide such detail that each viewing will unveil something new, and this is definitely a book that children will want to return to again and again as they discover the world around them.

This lovely book will, undoubtedly, become a cherished favourite on many bookshelves.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Ivy Kids for the opportunity to enjoy this ARC.

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