One of the most infamous characters of our childhood is now at The Morgan Library & Museum. Over 170 original drafts and watercolors will be on display.

September 19, 2008 – January 4, 2009

The Morgan Library & Museum / Madison Avenue at 36^th Street / 10016

www.themorgan.org

Everyone loves being transported to another world. For thousands of children in New York, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) provides just such a portal. Since 1973, this community cornerstone has been offering educational and engaging escapes to city toddlers. The exhibit Gods, Myths & Mortals: Discover Ancient Greece takes you to a foreign land while teaching art, science, and literature. Your child can learn colors at the grocery story in the Little West Side, or experience the rainforest through Adventures with Dora and Diego. This 38,000 square-foot facility can even be the setting of your child’s memorable birthday party. Because of its commitment to families as well as children, CMOM is also dedicated to serving the community through outreach programs at 49 sites throughout the city – including schools and libraries. Through August 28th, you can revisit happy childhood memories yourself while viewing original illustrations from your favorite pictures books in Golden Legacy: Original Art from 65 Years of Golden Books.

Children’s Museum of Manhattan
The Tisch Building
212 West 83rd Street
New York
10024

www.cmom.org

Check out more Local Flavor here.

What Are Some Of Your Favorite Hip Zips For Kids?

Post A Comment And Tell Us Where You Take Your Toddlers To Town.

New York City is an incredible place to raise children. Just ask husband-and-wife writing team Paul DuBois Jacobs and Jennifer Swender, who followed their successful book My Subway Ride with My Taxi Ride. They show us that New York is not only a playground for children, but also a classroom in which you can learn just by stepping out of the door. Paul and Jennifer delight in communicating the wonders of the city in a way that kids can appreciate. The joys of the city are not just in the places you go, but how you get here. While they currently live in Massachusetts, Paul and Jennifer are active in Brooklyn Public Library’s Meet the Author program and continue to make appearances around the country to speak about storytelling and the writing process. One of their latest ventures is Nascar ABCs, a book that teaches the alphabet through the exciting world of car racing. CiNYC host Hank meets with this writing duo, who teaches us that each journey is a discovery – whether it’s by subway, by taxi, by car, or on foot.

www.jacobsandswender.com

www.gibbs-smith.com

Read up on Hank’s Code Read ventures here!

Which codes hold Your Favorite Bookstores?

Post A Comment And Tell Us Where You Like To Pore Over The Written Word.

Armed with unbridled enthusiasm for Pippi Longstocking and MFAs from The New School, eight writers dedicated themselves to writing and reading great books for children and teens. They have been there for each other from first chapters to first rejection letters to first book signings. Their blog, Longstockings, is part book review, part advice column for navigating the murky world of agents and publishers, and part support system for each other, as well as their loyal subscribers. Whether you are a reader or a writer or both, if you love kidlit, log on!

Tell us about your blog: what is the premise, what are your main coverage areas, how did you get started? We are eight writers and we’re all about kids books. Some of us write for middle grade readers, some of us write for teens and some of us write for both. One of us even has a picture book coming out! We cover everything and anything related to kids’ books and the ups and downs of being a writer. We met at the New School where we all got MFA’s in, you guessed it, Writing for Children, and we are not only a blog but a critique group and support system for each other. We love kidlit and we love blogging about it!

What brought you to New York?
Wanting to live in the greatest city in the country and possibly the world.

What do you love about living in New York?
Great food, awesome stuff to do, the best museums outside of Europe, great mix of people, everything you need is close by and I don’t ever have to drive.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?
Living here and loving it.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?
How quick people are to help each other out. I have two kids and when I needed to shuttle them about in a double stroller people would practically get mowed down in traffic with their efforts to open doors for me.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?
The pace and electricity of the city.

Do you know any tricks or insider info?
The most amazing cookies in the world are at Levain Bakery on 74th between Broadway and Amsterdam.

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?
Ellen’s Stardust Diner- waitstaff singing Broadway tunes is my definition of awesome.

Best neighborhood bar?
I like The Heights in my neighborhood, Morningside Heights.

Best late night joint?
For food I’d say French Roast.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)?
Saw the Sex and the City movie- I wasn’t in love with the story but it was wonderful to see the ladies again!

Best fancy schmancy restaurant?
I love Candle 79 on, surprise, 79th at Lex.

Best place for Children to be exposed to new authors?
I’m a huge fan of the Bank Street Bookstore which gets great authors (and also musicians).

Best new author you have recently discovered?
Aside from my fellow Longstockings, who rock, I’d have to say Debbie Reed Fischer who wrote BRALESS IN WONDERLAND, a terrific teen novel about the modeling world.

Best place to find rare books?
I’ve found some terrific stuff at The Strand.

www.thelongstockings.blogspot.com/

What is your favorite children’s book?

Post a comment and below and let us know what’s cool to read.

The 92nd Street Y has been a bastion of culture for over 130 years. Supporting a wide array of performers, lecturers and exhibits, The 92nd Street Y brings people together. “It’s about people who entertain and challenge, inform and educate. It’s about people who learn and discover, observe and participate.”

In the beginning the Y was the Young Hebrew Association, serving young Jewish men within the surrounding community. Retaining the original principals of good fellowship and harmony, it has evolved into a world renowned center of cultural diversity, teachings and opportunities. One of their largest cultural events is the annual International Street Festival. Every September, New Yorkers swarm to the Upper Eastside for a taste of world traditions. It’s a cultural bazaar like none other. Whether you’re looking to whet your appetite, enlighten you mind, or listen to a master musician, chances are you’ll find something that fits the bill at The 92nd Street Y.

Find something that tickles your fancy at www.92y.org

1395 Lexington Ave., 10128

For the best of fun and education for your kids, take a spin on The Learning Wheel, a toy store that specializes in informative play. Owned and operated by two lifelong teachers, the store takes everyone back to the classroom with talking globes, frog growing kits, and magic microscopes. The Learning Wheel is full of resources for all age groups and promises to entertain kids and adults alike!

www.thelearningwheel.com

1514 Avenue Z, Brooklyn 11235

Running around and knocking things over…indoors? These antics are encouraged at Bowlmor Lanes, the 42-lane downtown bowling alley with a candy-store vibe. Bright, primary colors are everywhere from the ceiling lights to the counter stools, and the music is great for a victory dance after that first strike. “[Bowling] is a good way to have a little competition, have a little fun, and know your kids are safe,” said Lindsay Carlton, Events and Public Relations Assistant at Bowlmor. Kids are welcome from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

110 University Place between 12th and 13th Streets, Manhattan
www.bowlmor.com

If you crave more than just ocean waves and sunrays at the beach, head to Coney Island. This landmark Brooklyn location is brimming with the finest in freak show and burlesque entertainment, and The Coney Island Museum only charges 99 cents admission. Plus, classic amusement park rides such as the Wonder Wheel and the Zipper are running and ready to make your stomach drop. After you’ve worked up an appetite, stroll on over to Nathan’s for a world famous hot dog and do some people watching while you scarf it down. Some of the world’s most interesting characters traverse the beat-up boardwalk, every one of them adding to the utterly unique atmosphere.

1000 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn
www.coneyisland.com

Coney Island Events:

Nathan’s Famous holds an annual hot dog eating contest every July 4th at noon sharp.

Fireworks displays crackle and pop over the beach at 9:30 pm every Friday, from the last weekend in June until the Friday before Labor Day.

Burlesque at the Beach shakes, shimmies and twists every Friday night at 10pm at Sideshows by the Seashore, 1208 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn.

Directions to Coney Island:

By Train:
Take the D, Q, N or F train to Stillwell Avenue.

By Car:
Take the Belt Parkway to exit 6. Head south on Cropsey Avenue to West 17th Street. Keyspan Park and the Parachute Jump will be in front of you on Surf Avenue.

Parking:
Street parking is available. There are commercial parking lots on West 17th Street and West 12th Street between Mermaid and Surf, West 15th Street between the Boardwalk and Surf and on Neptune Avenue between West 12th and Stillwell Avenue.

Take a dip into Astoria Pool and beat the heat all summer long. This Olympic-sized swimming pool was built to hold 3000 of your closest friends, and is accompanied by a diving pool and a wading pool for the wee ones.

Originally opened in 1936, Astoria was the model for 11 other swimming facilities in New York City. It’s the only one with a clear view of the Triborough Bridge, and boasts views of the Manhattan skyline. The best part of all? Entrance to the pool is free. But, make sure you bring a combination lock with you to secure your stuff. You’re not allowed into the pool without one, and you probably wouldn’t want anyone messing with your stuff while you’re splashing around anyway.

19th Street and 23rd Drive, 11105

When the concrete, cement and pavement get to be too much, escape to the New York Botanical Garden. As you wander the 250 acres, you’ll find a rose garden and a perennial garden, a river and waterfall, rolling hills and remnants of the forest that was once New York City.

Admission is free all day Wednesday and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Otherwise, it’s $6 for adults, $5 for Bronx residents and $1 for children 2-12 years old.

Bronx River Parkway at Fordham Road
www.nybg.org