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The Secret Subway Kindle Edition

by Shana Corey (Author), Red Nose Studio (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 91 ratings
Editors' pick Best Nonfiction for Kids
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From an acclaimed author and a New York Times Best Illustrated artist comes the fascinating, little-known—and true!—story of New York City’s first subway.
 
New York City in the 1860s was a mess: crowded, disgusting, filled with garbage. You see, way back in 1860, there were no subways, just cobblestone streets. That is, until Alfred Ely Beach had the idea for a fan-powered train that would travel underground. On February 26, 1870, after fifty-eight days of drilling and painting and plastering, Beach unveiled his masterpiece—and throngs of visitors took turns swooshing down the track.
 
The Secret Subway will wow readers, just as Beach’s underground train wowed riders over a century ago.

A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids, 2016
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  1. Reading age
    4 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    AD810L
  6. Publisher
    Anne Schwartz Books
  7. Publication date
    March 8, 2016
  8. Page Flip
    Not Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Not Enabled
  11. Sticky notes
    Not Enabled
  12. ISBN-13
    978-0375870712
  13. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The incredibly inventive multimedia illustrations match the text perfectly and add detail, dimension, and pizazz… Absolutely wonderful in every way.” —Kirkus Reviews starred review

"Corey’s absorbing story of New York City’s ill-fated first subway provides an ideal venue for the sculptural artistry of Chris Sickels, aka Red Nose Studio." —Publishers Weekly starred review

"Corey’s narration brings plenty of sparkle to a story built on stealth and shadows...[with] Red Nose Studio’s visual pizzazz lure[ing readers] through the turnstile." —Bulletin starred review

About the Author

Shana Corey has written several picture books, among them Here Come the Girl Scouts!, a New York Times Editors’ Choice, and You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer, which the New York Times called “a picture book girls are likely to love.” She has always been intrigued by New York City history, so when she came across a passing mention of Alfred Ely Beach’s underground train, she wanted to know more. It wasn’t long before she was skulking around Warren and Murray Streets, looking for the site of Devlin’s department store, and seeking out Boss Tweed’s grave in Greenwood Cemetery. Learn more at shanacorey.com.
 
Red Nose Studio created the art for Here Comes the Garbage Barge! by Jonah Winter, which was selected as a New York Times Best Illustrated Book, a School Library Journal Best Book, and a Huffington Post Best Picture Book of the Year and received four starred reviews, as well as The Beginner’s Guide to Running Away from Home by Jennifer LaRue Huget, praised by the Wall Street Journal for its “vivid and arresting illustrations.” Visit him at rednosestudio.com.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00ZNDVYW2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Anne Schwartz Books (March 8, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 8, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 43003 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 91 ratings

About the author

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Red Nose Studio

Red Nose Studio

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Chris Sickels, the creative force behind Red Nose Studio, creates an eccentric and inviting miniature world with puppets, textures and light. Red Nose Studio’s illustrations appear in advertising, magazines, books, newspapers, packaging, character development and animation. His work has been featured in HOW, Print, Creativity, Communication Arts, and American Illustration. The Society of Illustrators has awarded three golds and a silver medal along with the Hamilton King Award for both his illustrative and motion work. His stop-motion animated films have screened at various festivals including Los Angeles International Short Film Festival and Montreal Stop-Motion Film Festival. He authored and illustrated the picture books BUILD! and The Look Book. He has illustrated the picture books Here Comes The Garbage Barge, The Beginner’s Guide to Running Away From Home, The Secret Subway, and Elvis Is King!

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
91 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Clio Reads
5.0 out of 5 stars Steampunk-y fun for kids!
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2016
Verified Purchase
Full disclosure: Shana Corey is a college friend of mine, but that's not what makes this book awesome. The illustrations are incredible and very unique. The story (which is true!) about an inventor who creates a pneumatic tunnel for a passenger train to help alleviate New York's traffic problems -- 40 years before the modern subway system was built -- is both interesting and entertaining. There's a kind of fun, gothic, steampunk feel to this book that I loved, and my sons (3 and 5) loved "The Secret Subway" because they love trains and inventions.
4 people found this helpful
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irina
5.0 out of 5 stars Such a beautifully made book
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2016
Verified Purchase
Such a beautifully made book! The pictures are amazing and the story even more so. My 7 year old daughter and I read it together and loved the story of the "real" first subway. It prompted a whole conversation about subways and ventured slightly into politics as well.
One person found this helpful
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patricia dutton
5.0 out of 5 stars Super cool book
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2020
Verified Purchase
Very cool book! Super neat illustrations (photos of clay figures) that are very engaging. We learned so much!
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Judy Corbin
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2016
Verified Purchase
Better then we thought it would be. Loved it.
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jacalyn a.
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2016
Verified Purchase
Love this book. It is a gorgeous book and the story appeals to so many different ages. I bought it for my nieces (ages 5 and 7) and my 10 year old son liked it so much I am going to order another one for us.
One person found this helpful
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FM
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2016
Verified Purchase
We own this book and bought it as a present for a train-obsessed 6 year old. We have been told that it's his new favorite book and he takes it to bed with him every night!
One person found this helpful
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BAPPLE
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is beautiful. Bought one for every kid on my list- ...
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2017
Verified Purchase
This book is beautiful. Bought one for every kid on my list- no matter the age. The writing is amazing (Shana Corey)
and the illustrations are beautiful.
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Paula Asen
5.0 out of 5 stars Clever
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2019
Verified Purchase
Love the artistry! Clever and historical.
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
World Leader Pretend
5.0 out of 5 stars Original libro ilustrado
Reviewed in Spain on April 29, 2021
Verified Purchase
He de reconocer que compré este libro porque es del mismo ilustrador que otro que nos encanta, "Elvis is king" cuyos dibujos parecen fotogramas stop-motion de películas tipo "Coraline" o "Fantastic Mr. Fox". De hecho, en la contraportada interior se aprecia el proceso de creación de las ilustraciones, donde el autor, crea las marionetas en realidad y luego supongo que les hará fotos. Es decir, este libro, nada más que por lo original que es su apartado gráfico, ya merece la pena. Y luego está el texto, el guión, que a mí me encanta pues me gusta mucho la historia de los metros y la historia de los inicios de algo, de una ciudad (por eso me encanta "Gangs of New York" aunque sé que no es la más lograda de Scorsese) o de cómo surgió la idea de construir un metro en una ciudad congestionada por el tráfico..
En definitiva, libro ilustrado que casi gusta más a adultos que a niños..

Espero que haya sido útil mi valoración
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Stanley Koren
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible artwork and based on a remarkable true story
Reviewed in Canada on November 13, 2018
Verified Purchase
This story of the first subway in New York is totally magical and creatively crafted by surreal art work that is nostalgic, beautiful and inspiring. The entire story was painstakingly handcrafted as 3D sculptures then illuminated and carefully photographed producing a unique and beautiful work of art. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in design and to any young person. Perhaps this book could inspire a budding architect to give the world original and creative designs just like Alfred Beech.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is so beautiful that words would hardly express the beauty it contains
Reviewed in India on May 30, 2016
Verified Purchase
This book is so beautiful that words would hardly express the beauty it contains. I stumbled upon art by RED NOSE STUDIO on the internet and instantly fell in love with it. Each image contains handmade dolls complete with beautifully created clothing. The vision of the artist is absolutely unique in all ways. The story unfolds across the pages and pages of absolutely beautiful art...the story is told across locations which are also created using mix media. For a child to see that a world could be expressed in this form and story could be told life this could open up doors of imagination. Story is beautiful and art is absolutely stunning. what i really liked is that the dust jacket has the process of creating the art shown on the back side and its beautifully laid out. A absolutely awesome buy and a great read. My son loves it.
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Charles P.
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic illustrations
Reviewed in France on March 19, 2016
Verified Purchase
A wonderful true story made magical by the illustrations. Love it.
Une histoire vraie merveilleuse faite magique par les illustrations. Aimer.
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