Recommendation: I would recommend this book to any native of New York, a lover of trains or someone who appreciates historical structures. Without reading the words, you can tell the story of the Old Penn Station through the pictures. The paintings take up the entire page and are very detailed. Each painting is just as exciting as the story behind it. Ages 6-106!Īrtistic Elements: This book has beautiful, colorful and vivid pictures to depict the story of the Old Penn Station. Many were sad to see it go but embraced the memories it created.Īge range: This book seems to be written for the young elementary reader, however the rich history that it tells would make this book appropriate for any age. It was such a historical building that only stood tall for 53 years. It even takes us through the demolishing and construction of the Madison Square Garden and the New Penn Plaza where the Old Pen Station once stood. The author and illustrator takes us on a journey of life before trains could stop in New York city to the details of the construction for this historical building. Summary: This book is about the birth, life and death of the Old Penn Station in New York City. This is a great book to read if you're interested in learning about trains or NYC. The text in this book is simple and easy to grasp and the pictures are eye catching (beautiful oil paintings!).
I have been to NY once, but never knew of Old Penn Station or had even thought about how people had gotten to Manhattan in the late 1800s. I found this book to be so interesting because I had absolutely no knowledge of the content. Many people were angry with the destruction of the building and now a Preservation Commission was created to avoid destruction of historical buildings like this. Sadly, the statues and wonderful architecture was all destroyed. It was decided by a number of people in New York to tear down the historic building and move the station underground and make it a base for Madison Square Garden.
However, as modes of transportation changed and less people were taking locomotive trains, Old Penn Station began to struggle. Beautiful statues were created for both the inside and outside of the station. In 1910 a beautiful train station was built, it was actually supposed to seem more like a "palace." In it were restaurants, beautiful waiting rooms, shoeshiners, and more. Before it was built people would get off a train in New Jersey and get on a ferry to Manhattan. Old Penn Station was the first train station to be built in NYC. His first-hand knowledge of the subject was evident in this book especially through the detailed and accurate illustrations. William Low, author and illustrator of this book, was born and raised in New York City. Old Penn Station is a wonderful informational picture book for young readers. Old Penn Station is a 2007 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year and a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year. This is a classic, beautiful book for history lovers, train lovers, and art lovers alike. Spaces can be powerful, and Old Penn Station honors one particular powerful space which is sure to engender discussion about other historical buildings and monuments all across the nation. The author's research carefully addresses the whole history of the building, from construction to destruction, ending with an acknowledgment of its lasting legacy in terms of historical preservation. Old Penn Station follows a very specific piece of New York City history, but it's not just a New York book. William Low's glorious illustrations pay close attention to detail while still encompassing the large-scale grandeur of Penn Station. A beautiful tribute to the glory of the original Pennsylvania Railroad Stationĭuring the first half of the 20th century, the original Pennsylvania Station was one of New York City's grandest landmarks, a palace in the middle of Manhattan.
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