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Small in the City

by Sydney Smith

Subject
Lifestyles - City & Town Life
Age
3-5 years
Format
Hardcover
Pages
40
Publisher
Neal Porter Books
Size
18.3 cm × 28.2 cm
ISBN
9780823442614
It can be a little scary to be small in a big city, but this child has some good advice for a very special friend in need.

Winner of the Ezra Jack Keats Award
A New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Book of the Year
Winner of the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal


It can be a little scary to be small in a big city, but it helps to know you're not alone.

When you're small in the city, people don't see you, and loud sounds can scare you, and knowing what to do is sometimes hard. But this little kid knows what it's like, and knows the neighborhood. And a little friendly advice can go a long way.

Alleys can be good shortcuts, but some are too dark.

Or, there are lots of good hiding places in the city, like under a mulberry bush or up a walnut tree.

And, if the city gets to be too much, you're always welcome home, where it's safe and quiet.

In the first book that he has both written and illustrated, award-winning artist Sydney Smith spins a quiet, contemplative tale about seeing a big world through little eyes. He is the winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest international distinction given to authors and illustrators of children's books.

Winner of the Governor General's Literary Award
An ALA Notable Children's Book
A New York Times Best Children's Book
A Wall Street Journal Best Children's Book of the Year
An NPR Best Kids Book of the Year
A Capitol Choices Noteworthy Title
A Washington Post Best Children's Book of the Year
A Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Best Picture Book of the Year
Named a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, the Horn Book, Shelf Awareness, and many more!
A Booklist Editors' Choice
A BCCB Blue Ribbon Book
Winner of the German Youth Literature Prize

Data provided by BiblioShare.

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What reviewers said

"'Small in the City' is the best picture book I've seen so far this year, and among the most moving I know. For the right child it will be revelatory."
The New York Times Book Review
"A child braves strange streets in search of a mysterious someone in this gorgeous story about love and loss."
People Magazine
"Some picture books make you want to hug them to your chest and not let go until the fullness in your heart subsides. 'Small in the City', a work of surpassing poignancy and understanding by Canadian author-illustrator Sydney Smith, is one of them."
The Wall Street Journal
"'Small in the City' is full of faith and compassion, and gorgeous to look at, as well."
The Washington Post
"Young readers will feel their hearts constrict, as they all know what it's like to confront a towering, intimidating world. . . . Extraordinary, emotional, and beautifully rendered."
Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
"This emotionally resonant ode to the resilience of small creatures in a big, loud world is tender and timeless—and a masterful merging of art and text."
The Horn Book, Starred Review
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© 2026 Peekabooks Inc. All Rights Reserved.