This is San Francisco

This is...

by Miroslav Sasek

Let the rumbling cable car tell you the story! And what a From the crookedest street in the world to the Peking ducks in Chinatown, San Francisco is easily one of the world's most enchanting cities. Illustrator Miroslav Sasek captures both the breathtaking landscape and the cosmopolitan flavor of the City by the Bay in  This is San Francisco.  First published in 1962, Sasek's jaunty, colorful illustrations will still dazzle kids and adults alike.

Genres: Picture Books, Travel, Nonfiction, Childrens, History, Geography, Classics

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Miroslav Sasek (born Miroslav Šašek) (1916-1980) was an author and illustrator from the Czech Republic. He is best known for a series of books for children titled This Is...

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a nice book - the art is fantastic and the 'tour' of SF brings back so many memories. Take a look at SF as it looked in 1962...beautiful! I had my mom look at this book (she was a nurse in SF in 1961) and she told me that it brought back lots of good memories (going to Chinatown after her shift with her friends and ordering new and delicious food)!

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://www.pussreboots.pair.com/blog/...

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m surprised by how much I liked this. Nostalgia! Originally published in 1962, when I was 8 or 9 and living in San Francisco, this really reminded me of the San Francisco from decades ago. It reminded me that I was not allowed to ride standing on the outside of the cable cars when I was a child; I’d forgotten that.

Until I saw that some information was updated in 2003, I was going to recommend this book only to those who had lived or visited San Francisco in or around 1962, but because of the new details, I can recommend this to those who love San Francisco or would like to learn a little about the city.

The illustrations are suitably quaint, and some are really lovely.

Another one read for my san-francisco shelf.

* I actually read the edition reissued in 2003, but the cover is the same as the original.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun one in this series! I have enjoyed each and every one of them! Lost of good facts, history! Fun picture! Just an all around good time!!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 When I travel, I collect children’s books when I can find them. This started in 1997 on my spring break trip to DC. We saw all the books and art at a show for the Martin Luther King Jr. prize that year. I miss San Fransisco. My friend, Jen, took me to City Lights for the first time in 2019 and I bought this book there (along with others). We had the best coffee on that rainy day at an Italian place. We saw some interesting art. Found a parking spot. It was a great afternoon. I love this city and my friends who live there so much. I can’t wait for quarantine to be over.

[Jessica Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and captures a whimsy of the city. Reading as an adult with more in-depth knowledge of the sites, places and attractions mentioned, I felt a warm nostalgia feeling of love for the city and brings back fond memories of the experiences had at the various areas talked about. Great book for any reader at any age; whether a tourist, resident, or lover of SF. Definitely want to share with the children in my life and a great addition to any ones book collection. Also makes a great coffee table book for any home.
Go and check out Sasek's other books about the city you love!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful travel book for kids. While it's an account of SF in the 60's, many of the locations can still be seen today. Annotations update readers as to changes in the city. Gorgeous mid-century modern illustrations that will appeal to locals, fans of art from that period, and well-traveled little ones alike.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this series of books about cities ever since I was a little kid. They are all so good, and each book captures the individual spirit of the place so well.
The playfulness of his line, the personalities of the people he draws, the movement and energy in his vehicles...

[Jocelin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really a travelogue for young readers. Good illustrations, easy story. This book was originally written in the 60's but, it has updated information in the back of the book for more update facts.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really love one of the This is. . . series. It seems like Sasek had a real love for San Francisco that I haven't really seen in the few other books of the series I've read. It's not always the most interesting, but the illustrations are really, really nice. Recommended!

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful gift from Kelly. Beautifully drawn narrative and a fun period piece.

[Stella Jean]

From Tara and Gabrielle.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has the most beautiful period '60s illustrations.

[Amar Pai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good art. Euro perspective. A bit out of date, but who cares. Trying to teach Izzy the bridges (GG/Bay)

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Besides enjoying the great illustrations, I learned a few things. For one, I always assumed Yerba Buena was a pot reference, but now I know it was San Francisco's original name :)

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great book. It's the original 60s illustrations & text with little footnotes about what has changed since then. Amazing illustrations.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

These pictures are awesome! I want every book in this series! Really....I do!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great travel book. Love getting a tour of the highlights of the city and what the different districts are like. Really like this style of art too.

[Katie Darrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this classic book! Gorgeous illustrations accompany interesting information about the city by the bay.

[Jean-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First published in 1962, this picture book shows off all of the landmarks of San Francisco.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful illustrations. Charming.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute vintage illustrations of SF. Kids love this.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as charming as the books on London or Rome, but I still love the illustrations.

[Jennifer Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome artwork

[Henry]

A great book about my hometown!

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een mooi getekend boek over San Francisco! Een stad die ik waarschijnlijk nooit ga zien (want ik ben niet van plan om ooit een stap te zetten in Amerika tenzij dingen veranderen), dus ik geniet van dit soort boeken en ook reisboeken. Ik vond de tekst niet superspannend maar wel OK om te lezen (al zat er wel een spelfout in). Maar ja ik kwam dan ook voornamelijk voor de tekeningen want ik vind deze stijl echt top. Leuk dat ze het boek hebben heruitgebracht want anders had ik het niet kunnen lezen en dat zou jammer zijn want 1960-1962 SF is een prachtige stad.
Ik heb dus genoten van mijn tour door deze stad, en ik heb net ook even de andere boeken gereserveerd bij een van mijn bibliotheken.

[Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

So charming!

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in this century, the illustrations in this informative, brief text are nostalgic and evoke the 1960s, when the volume was originally published.

[Sean Kottke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found at World Market, a 2003 reprint of a 1962 children's travel book. The illustrations are priceless.

[Denise Menger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illustrated Nonfiction
Geography
History
Updated edition