The Inside-Outside Book of Washington D.C. Ages 4-8

The Inside-outside Book of Washington, D.C.

By Roxie Munro, Julie Cummins

Illustrated by Roxie Munro

Edition: illustrated

Published by Dutton, 1987

ISBN 0525442987, 9780525442981

48 pages

Twelve tourist delights and ...

... architecturally interesting structures are featured in Munro's picture-book tour. By showing not only the facades and interiors of buildings but also the ambiance of the neighborhoods, she ... more » captures a deeper feeling for the city. The first pages show the Washington Monument and then the view from the top of it to the east and west, with cherry trees showing as little pink puffs around the Jefferson Memorial and tiny colorful people and care using the thoroughfares. Meanwhile, the author's style--heavy lines filled with color--makes the realism of the Washington Post's pressroom an abstract composition of pipes and flowing papers; the architectural detail of buildings is a strong part of each composition. The pictures are at times more national than local--e.g., the control room of a TV station, after we have seen a news announcer being taped in front of the White House, or a traffic jam on the way to R.F.K. Stadium shown from the interior of a car--but Munro's delight in the shapes and perspectives of Washington buildings should be a fine introduction to that city for any young person. There is a brief description of each landmark at the end of the book, with interesting additional information such as F.D.R. adding the wrought-iron fence to the White House Lawn. A perfect accompaniment for a visit to our capitol.

Kirkus Reviews Copyright (c) VNU Business Media, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 4 Ages 5, 6, 7 Two good large-format books about our nation's capital. In Krementz' photo-filled book, six-year-old Matt Wilson, who lives with his family in Washington, D.C., narrates a tour of the city. A bit of history is related as the Wilsons visit well-known sites such as the Washington Monument, the White House, and the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials. Feelings, however, are also effectively conveyed, as when the family visits the Vietnam Memorial where Matt's uncle Joseph is among those honored. The Botanic Gardens, the Washington Cathedral, and the Smithsonian museums each offer a different delight. Matt's child-like (but never childish) narration is effectively used to weave the full-color, crisp, nicely detailed photographs into a satisfying visit to Washington. Munro's book is similar in style and format to her Inside-Outside Book of New York City (Dodd, 1985). Through intricate and detailed although clear and uncluttered illustrations, readers are taken on a visual trip through the nation's capital, beginning with the most familiar. The opening page depicts an outside view of the Washington Monument. From the vantage point of the Monument's observation tower, viewers' eyes are then directed east (where Smithsonian museums and the Capitol can be seen across the mall) and west for a view of the Tidal Basin, Potomac River, and Lincoln Memorial. The Library of Congress, Supreme Court, and Bureau of Engraving are among the sites visited, as are the Organization of American States and the National Air and Space Museum. The visit to Washington concludes with a trip to the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. Brief information about each location is provided on the final page, serving to pique children's curiosity about the sites' history and to look again at the illustrations. Unusual perspectives and intriguing factual details are effectively used to create a fascinating portrait of a city. While the Krementz book is more informative, the Munro book is more imaginative. The two books complement each other, and compare favorably to both This Is Washington, D.C. (Macmillan, 1973) by Sasek and Moreman's Touching Washington, D.C. (Conklin, 1976; o.p.). Maria B. Salvadore, District of Columbia Public Library
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.