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If planning a trip to New York City for kids, or if wanting to visit the city right from home through media, here are the perfect resources – songs, movies, and books – to learn about New York City.
There are picture books about New York City, chapter books about New York City, read-alouds about New York City, children’s movies about New York City, and songs about New York City “the greatest city in the world, the greatest city in the world.” Let’s here it for New York, the lights will inspire you… on Broadway.
Famous New York Songs
(each song about New York City includes the links to Youtube)
New York New York – song by Frank Sinatra
On Broadway, by the Drifters, in 1963
Empire State of Mind, by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys
Schuyler Sisters – song by Hamilton the Musical “The revolution is happening in New York“
These are some of the most iconic songs about New York City.
“History is happening in Manhattan, and we just happen to be in the greatest city in the world (the greatest city in the world)” – Scene from the Hamilfilm
New York Landmarks in Books
NYC Sites for Children: Showing how people influence their world
Secret Engineer: How Emily Roebling Built the Brooklyn Bridge, by Rachel Dougherty
A Green Place to Be: The Creation of Central Park, by Ashley Benham Yazdani
Let Liberty Rise! How America’s Schoolchildren Helped Save the Statue of Liberty, by Chana Stiefel
Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of the Macy’s Parade, by Melissa Sweet
New Yorkers Who Made A Difference
The Man Who Walked Between The Towers, by Mordicai Gerstein
Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike, by Michelle Markel and illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Picture Books about New York City
The Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack Keats
This book about New York City snowing won the Caldecott medal for its beautiful illustrations.
Eloise: The Absolutely Essential 60th Anniversary Edition, by Kay Thompson, illustrated by Hilary Knight.
Lyle Lyle Crocodile by Bernard Waber
New York City Children’s Novels
Children’s Books About New York City, for Older Kids (9+ or read-aloud)
From the Mixed Up Files of Basil E. Frankweiler, by E. L. Konigsburg
In The Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson, by Bette Bao Lord
All-Of-A-Kind Family, by Sydney Taylor
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street, by Karina Yan Glaser
The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden, by Karina Yan Glaser
Even more books about New York City here!
New York City Historical Fiction
Dreams in the Golden Country: The Diary of Zipporah Feldman, a Jewish Immigrant Girl, New York City, 1903. Zipporah makes it through Ellis Island, attends school, and lives with her sisters Tovah and Miriam. This was one of my favorites in the entire series, depicting the Jewish immigration experience and the assimiliation into American life.
Hear My Sorrow: The Diary of Angela Denoto, a Shirtwaist Worker, New York City 1909 (a book in the Dear America series). This book would be perfect for a sixth grader learning about New York City in the turn-of-the-century featuring Italian immigration. (Kindle only)
Even more children’s books about New York City here!
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New York Kids Movies
most of these are on Disney+. The Amazon Prime links are below:
Annie (2014) – This modern remake of Annie is full of scenes in New York City.
Secret Life of Pets What do pets do all day in their New York City apartments?
Secret Life of Pets 2
Enchanted A musical set in New York City?!
Stuart Little (1995) – This movie has Michael J. Fox, Hugh Laurie, and Geena Davis. Notable scenes from this movie take place in Central Park.
Miracle on 34th Street This classic movie focuses on the Macy’s Parade of New York City, and how the Santa Claus at the store is the “real deal,” proved in an epic court battle.
Which movie about New York City is your favorite?