Storied City

Children's book lovers will discover the Big Apple anew through Leonard S. Marcus's Storied City: A Children's Book Walking Tour Guide to New York City. Readers are directed to the row house (280 W. 12th Street) where Robert McCloskey created the art for Make Way for Ducklings, using Long Island ducks-not Bostonians-as his models. They can sail a toy boat in the Conservatory Water, the Central Park pond famously enjoyed by Stuart Little. Marcus proves an entertaining and erudite guide who fills this volume (narrow enough to fit in a pocket) with amusing anecdotes. Closing sidebars provide additional resources on areas of the city as well as literary characters who live there; photos of the city and appropriate artwork enliven the presentation. .