Kevin A. Roberts
The book Happy Birthday, St. Louis! (by Carolyn E. Mueller, illustrated by Ed Koehler) features a birthday party—and your kids are invited. This book by native St. Louisan Carolyn Mueller dishes out a dose of local history, along with adorable illustrations and heaps of city pride. It outlines St. Louis’ key moments from the past 250 years, explaining to kids ages 3 to 8 what makes their hometown what it is today. The book is written in lively rhymes and covers topics such as St. Louis’ founding, the railroad era, the music of Chuck Berry, and the Spirit of St. Louis airplane. From a lively depiction of that “upside-down smile” we call the Gateway Arch to a jovial illustration of Mark Twain gliding down the Mississippi, this book will have you ready to celebrate the Lou.
Goodnight St. Louis (by June Herman and Julie Dubray, illustrated by Karen Heyse) is chock full of local hot spots. This book is a playfully illustrated prize for young ones, as well as a succinct travel guide to beloved St. Louis outposts. Popular landmarks are strung through the book, along with portrayals of gems such as Crown Candy Kitchen, The Magic House, and Ted Drewes.
The book gives a nod to every aspect of St. Louis culture, from the arts to the parks. St. Louis kids will go to bed while dreaming of their favorite places to play, such as the Science Center, Citygarden, Grant’s Farm, and Forest Park. Adults will also find pleasure in the illustrations of their favorite cultural landmarks, such as the Missouri History Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, The Muny, and the Fox Theatre. This children’s book also pays respects to the festivals and fairs. Illustrations reveal hints of traditions such as Taste of St. Louis and Shakespeare in the Park. Make sure to flip all the way to the back, where authors June Herman and Julie Dubray included further reading on the places mentioned in the story, with facts, figures, and trivia.
What’s That Arch? (by Sandra Kreitner, illustrated by Alvin Zamudio) is a must-read for little ones before a trip to the Gateway Arch. The history of the landmark, as well as the region as a whole, is neatly summarized in this compact board book. Children ages 2 to 4 will learn about not only the Arch, but also the Great Plains and westward expansion. This concise and colorful tale, written by Sandra Kreitner, introduces readers to such characters as Thomas Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis, and William Clark. Illustrations portray the characters who shaped the region’s past, including pioneers and colonialists, as well as the bison, deer, grizzlies, and more roaming the land. The project is sponsored by the Jefferson National Association, which supports public education about the nation’s historical and cultural land and monuments. The book pairs excellently with the Museum of Westward Expansion on the Arch’s grounds; after kids read its pages and ride up to the top of the soaring St. Louis landmark, the exhibits below will help bring what the children have read to life. Let the kids in on the history of their hometown’s skyline through this illustrated, rhyming book.
