Congested city streets are noisy and thick with cars and trucks, while pedestrians and cyclists are squeezed to the dangerous edges—but does it have to be this way?
Imagine a city where we aren’t stuck in cars, where clean air makes it easier to breathe, and where transit is easy to access—and on time. Imagine a city where streets are for people!
This fun, accessible and ultimately hopeful book explores sustainable transportation around the globe, including electric vehicles, public transit, bicycles, walking and more. It invites us to conjure up a city of the future, where these modes are all used together to create a place that is sustainable, healthy, accessible and safe.
Includes a list of ideas for children to promote green transportation in their communities, along with a glossary and sources for further reading.
The ThinkCities series is inspired by the urgency for new approaches to city life as a result of climate change, population growth and increased density. It highlights the challenges and risks cities face, but also offers hope for building resilience, sustainability and quality of life as young people advocate for themselves and their communities.
Key Text Features
diagrams
facts
further information
further reading
glossary
historical context
illustrations
labels
resources
references
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.7
Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.3
Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.6
Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.
Congested city streets are noisy and thick with cars and trucks, while pedestrians and cyclists are squeezed to the dangerous edges—but does it have to be this way?
Imagine a city where we aren’t stuck in cars, where clean air makes it easier to breathe, and where transit is easy to access—and on time. Imagine a city where streets are for people!
This fun, accessible and ultimately hopeful book explores sustainable transportation around the globe, including electric vehicles, public transit, bicycles, walking and more. It invites us to conjure up a city of the future, where these modes are all used together to create a place that is sustainable, healthy, accessible and safe.
Includes a list of ideas for children to promote green transportation in their communities, along with a glossary and sources for further reading.
The ThinkCities series is inspired by the urgency for new approaches to city life as a result of climate change, population growth and increased density. It highlights the challenges and risks cities face, but also offers hope for building resilience, sustainability and quality of life as young people advocate for themselves and their communities.
Key Text Features
diagrams
facts
further information
further reading
glossary
historical context
illustrations
labels
resources
references
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.7
Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.3
Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.6
Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.
| Published By | Groundwood Books Ltd — May 1, 2022 |
| Specifications | 40 pages | 8.75 in x 10.625 in |
| Keywords | global warming; climate change; ecology pedagogy; urban planning; bike lanes; city of water; forest in the city; pollution; personal responsibility; stewardship; activism; illustrations; resources; further information; historical context; labels; sustainable development goals; ThinkCities series; |
| Written By |
ANDREA CURTIS writes books for adults and young people that have been published around the world. Her kids' nonfiction includes A Forest in the City, City of Water, City Street are for People and City of Neighbors in the ThinkCities series. She has also written the young-adult novel Big Water. Andrea lives with her family in Toronto, Ontario, where she likes to doodle, cook for friends and spend as much time as possible on her bike. |
| Illustrated by |
EMMA FITZGERALD was born in Lesotho to Irish parents, did most of her growing up in Vancouver, and calls E’se’katik (place of clams), also known as Lunenburg, home. She wrote and illustrated Hand Drawn Halifax, Sketch by Sketch Along Nova Scotia’s South Shore, Hand Drawn Vancouver and most recently Hand Drawn Victoria. Her love of cities came in handy when illustrating City Streets Are for People (Groundwood Books 2022). Emma illustrated the Ann Connor Brimer Award–winning EveryBody’s Different on EveryBody Street and A Pocket of Time, which was shortlisted for the 2020 Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award. When she isn’t sketching, she enjoys dancing and getting lost in new places. |
| Written By |
|
ANDREA CURTIS writes books for adults and young people that have been published around the world. Her kids' nonfiction includes A Forest in the City, City of Water, City Street are for People and City of Neighbors in the ThinkCities series. She has also written the young-adult novel Big Water. Andrea lives with her family in Toronto, Ontario, where she likes to doodle, cook for friends and spend as much time as possible on her bike. |
| Illustrated by |
|
EMMA FITZGERALD was born in Lesotho to Irish parents, did most of her growing up in Vancouver, and calls E’se’katik (place of clams), also known as Lunenburg, home. She wrote and illustrated Hand Drawn Halifax, Sketch by Sketch Along Nova Scotia’s South Shore, Hand Drawn Vancouver and most recently Hand Drawn Victoria. Her love of cities came in handy when illustrating City Streets Are for People (Groundwood Books 2022). Emma illustrated the Ann Connor Brimer Award–winning EveryBody’s Different on EveryBody Street and A Pocket of Time, which was shortlisted for the 2020 Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award. When she isn’t sketching, she enjoys dancing and getting lost in new places. |
| Audience | ages 8 to 12 / grades 3 to 7 |
| Key Text Features | diagrams; facts; further information; further reading; glossary; historical context; illustrations; labels; resources; references |
| Common Core |
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.3
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.7 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.6 |
An empowering look at reclaiming urban areas from vehicles for a better quality of life and a greener future.
” —Kirkus ReviewsA thoughtful book for young environmentalists.
” —Booklist[An] informative, fact-filled book.
” —School Library ConnectionCity Streets Are for People will fuel actionable efforts towards a greener and more sustainable transportation future.
” —CM: Canadian Review of MaterialsInformative and engaging.
” —Atlantic Books TodayFun, informative, and highly recommended.
” —Midwest Book Review