Buy new:
-15% $15.32
FREE delivery on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon.
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$15.32 with 15 percent savings
List Price: $17.95

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon.
Temporarily out of stock.
Order now and we'll deliver when available.
Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your account will only be charged when we ship the item.
Details
$$15.32 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$15.32
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$5.99
Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Over 100 million books sold! 100% Money-Back Guarantee. Free & Fast Shipping! Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Over 100 million books sold! 100% Money-Back Guarantee. Free & Fast Shipping! See less
FREE delivery May 9 - 14. Details
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$15.32 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$15.32
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Ships from and sold by Better World Books: West.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

X. J. Kennedy
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

City Kids: Street and skyscraper rhymes Hardcover – Picture Book, September 1, 2010

by X.J. Kennedy (Author), Phillippe Béha (Illustrator)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 2 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$15.32","priceAmount":15.32,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"15","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"32","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"OiuUQ1IavUgnEQ%2Bxy1NeYRgxGeYI%2BDRiB208XObXlQIuRiynJsVM5%2FCpTjUAhtCpfkbU3Gf8IRwEC%2FQ93DeXoBz7IJkH%2BnN4Hm%2FDdV2OjYSjctN1nay5m8xFklh2LpPkftTAjLrLc7Q%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$5.99","priceAmount":5.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"5","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"OiuUQ1IavUgnEQ%2Bxy1NeYRgxGeYI%2BDRiLI9s6aVxcULeuaXZJVF3KYgvTeIHZ3dvNEXQqd8pu3d6H1gIpmR9yObRum2v1exK75CHYvpKOtIbasxsIxF0vNh8USk3PWJcn3GiqI4pXa2AfMD%2BzYgArrZx3qj3you7w06Vp0j%2BIITYDwENjFpIkA%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

From street hockey to baguette duels, award-winning poet X.J. Kennedy captures what it means to be a kid in a city full of zany characters and urban adventures waiting to happen. Philippe Béha's whimsical illustrations add delight to these lighthearted rhymes. These poems are set in cities around the world from London to Toronto to New York. Funny and poignant, these stories should amuse and delight children and teachers alike.
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    6 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    96 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    1 - 3
  5. Dimensions
    8.88 x 0.25 x 9.5 inches
  6. Publisher
    Tradewind Books
  7. Publication date
    September 1, 2010
  8. ISBN-10
    9781896580449
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1896580449
  10. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Veteran poet Kennedy celebrates city life from a kid’s view in this cheerful collection. Short, rhythmic selections focus on exciting places to visit (museums, zoos) and everyday experiences, such as watching the machines spin at the Laundromat. Not every selection is strong, and a few poems focusing on basic family scenarios feel thematically out of place. In some of the best entries, though, the young speaker describes neighborhood characters— “Leaflet Man” resembles “a tree / . . . shedding all its leaves” as he passes out advertising flyers—and finds beauty in city grit: graffiti is “better, after all, / Than the cold blank stare of an empty wall.” Béha’s stylized, brightly hued mixed-media images, printed against white backgrounds, add buoyant energy without overwhelming the words. Both city and rural kids will enjoy the poems’ images and beats, and they’ll recognize the elemental feeling of connection and quiet that the young speaker finds in public spaces: “All you do is stand / In front of a statue / Till, ready to talk, / It looks right at you.” Grades 2-4. --Gillian Engberg

Review

"Beha's lively and vibrant illustrations of Kennedy's short poems have just the right amount of quirkiness to enhance the poet's sense of fun…A welcome addition to poetry collections in the elementary school library as well as a good choice for parents and grandparents who enjoy reading poems to small listeners…Highly recommended." ― CM Magazine

"Kennedy is thought-provoking without being obscure. Although much of his work is light and whimsical, he shows a willingness to take on more serious subject matter...The book also benefits considerably from Montrealer Philippe Béha’s colourful, stylized illustrations, which interpret the work sensitively and creatively." ― Quill & Quire

"An eclectic collection of poems about life for kids in a vibrant city…Jovial, whimsical rainbow illustrations and zany printed titles add to the bounce and verve of City Kids…Not just for kids, but for everyone who loves being alive." ― Midwest Book Review

"The urban world is examined from every angle in this lively collection of verse about city life…Béha's illustrations have a naïf, crayon-scrawled exuberance, and most match the upbeat tone of Kennedy's verse." ― Publishers Weekly

"Captures the scenes and experience of urban life, via a series of evocative poems and illustrations...It is well written and expressed and invites children to understand the urban environment through a wide variety of images...A great anthology for the urban classroom, as it celebrates the life and culture of city kids." ― Resource Links

"There is plenty of child-appeal and perspective, as well as end rhymes, internal rhymes, and alliteration to catch the fancy of young listeners. The layout sets each poem opposite boldly outlined images that channel the animated whimsy and unexpected colors of Chagall....Recommended." ― Library Media Connection

"A beautifully designed book of clever and mischievous verse for 8-12 year-olds from a virtuoso of children's (and adult) poetry. The much-laureled Kennedy is at his best in this roundup of new and older poems that celebrate the joys and pitfalls of growing up urban the world over." ― Poetry Foundation

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1896580440
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tradewind Books (September 1, 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 96 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781896580449
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1896580449
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 6 - 8 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 1 - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.16 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.88 x 0.25 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 2 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
X. J. Kennedy

X. J. Kennedy

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
2 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Denali Delmar
4.0 out of 5 stars Cute book
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2019
Verified Purchase
Cute illustrations. For kids in Great Britain, so some language is different (tube instead of subway).
Helpful
 Report
PoemsofJoeMs
5.0 out of 5 stars City Kids--another great one from XJ!
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2013
20+ books of children's poetry and he just keeps getting better!
If you're not an XJ fan yet, it's never too late to start!
Helpful
 Report