New York State of Mind [With CD]

by Billy Joel

Book Overview

"Newcomer Izak's full-bleed watercolor spreads charmingly dramatize songwriter Joel's ode to New York City...This book makes Joel's song (a CD of the song is included) accessible to a new generation, while Izak's truly lovely portraits will serve both as an introduction to Manhattan, and as a visual tribute for those who already love New York." - Publishers Weekly

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0439553822
• ISBN13: 9780439553827
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: Scholastic Press
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.3" x 10.2"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

New York State of Mind

I was a little disappointed at first in the book only because I thought there would be more of a story of someone in New York City with the song as a basis. Error on my part since the book was the "song". However, my niece age 5 whom the book was for was delighted and loved it. Each picture I read and described to her (I must admit she did a couple of twirls to the CD playing) was enjoying it and found all the pictures very descripitive with the song. As a New Yorker myself I was able to explain it with a little story of her "Aunt Re Re" in the Big Apple who has over the years been to all those illustrated sites.

A contemporary music classic is now a picture book

"New York State of Mind" has always been one of Billy Joel's most passionately-performed pieces. When witnessed live and in person, the song is a glowing tribute to all East Coasters and specifically to New Yorkers, from one of their own. But even the recording on the Turnstiles album is powerful. It pays homage to the concept of "home." Joel's lyrics transfer nicely onto the pages of this picture book. The main characters, two small dogs, may remind some folks of the pair from "The Lady and the Tramp," another city story. Izak's illustrations portray the metropolis in fall or early winter, with leaves on the ground and ice skaters at Wollman Rink. Each double-page spread visits a specific location in the city, and each are identified by name. Look closely to find the irony in the signage. Theater-goers are standing in line to see "Movin' Out!" on Broadway. And the ice rink banner reads TROMP instead of TRUMP. Play the accompanying CD (containing the Turnstiles version of the song) while reading the captions, and you'll hear the soulful strains of the saxophone just as a sax player appears on the page. A captivating new book for children and adult fans of NYC and/or Billy Joel, particularly poignant in these post-9/11 days.

Soulful Billy Joel & New York

If you like Billy Joel, you will like this book/CD. I am a big fan of Billy Joel's and have always wanted to visit New York. The book provides some great scenes of New York with labeling of all the featured sites. Makes me want to visit New York even more. It's a little goofy that a little dog is featured on all the pages, but small enough that you can ignore it and silly enough that you can enjoy it. It is a book that my two toddler children and I enjoy every day. They love the colorful pictures, and I love Billy Joel's bluesy, soulful music.

A fun and simple appreciation for the city's many offerings

A cd single of the song accompanies musician Billy Joe's book of the same name New York State Of Mind, which receives illustration by Izak and imparts a passion for New York, from the Empire state Building to Central Park. From movie stars to newspapers and ice skating, New York State Of Mind imparts a fun and simple appreciation for the city's many offerings.

Simplicity at its best

This is a simple book with each page sporting only a line of text from Billy Joel's New York State of Mind off the Turnstiles album. I think the illustrations are great as they are impressionistic representations of various places in New York City, such as the theatre district, Central Park, Times Square, etc. It's sure to capture the imagination of any adult and child alike. The book comes with a CD single of the song to accompany reading if desired.