In Lucia's Neighborhood

PreS-Gr 2—A gentle salute to Jane Jacobs, an activist and promoter of vibrant urban communities. In this quiet story, Lucia and her grandmother talk about Jacobs's work and what really makes a neighborhood and gives it life. Then, the two take note of the people and activities in their immediate surroundings. The mailman is out delivering the mail, and a farmer's market is set up in the park. Children play on the swings while elderly men rest underneath the shade of the trees. Others practice Tai Chi. Dog lovers let their pets off-leash in designated areas, and joggers run by. Lucia and Grandmother notice the shopkeepers getting ready for a busy day and pass neighbors tending to their gardens. In summer, Lucia's neighborhood has a parade with colorful decorations and marching bands. Rendered digitally, Colek's colorful illustrations are done in folk-art style. This book is a good discussion starter about neighborhoods, community helpers, and business owners, as well as a celebration of urban networking and the need for interpersonal interaction.—Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA