Underground: Subway Systems Around the World

by Uijung Kim

Find out about world cities and their underground systems in this fun search-and-find book.

This is a playful search-and-find, inside/outside book of underground systems around the world. Alternating shortened pages introduce the subways of 12 different cities. On the first page we see the exterior of the train, and are presented with fascinating facts and figures about the transport system. On the following, shortened page, we find the inside of the train and the platform, bustling with activity. On this busy page, young readers are invited to spot key items that are unique to the city in question; a pretzel, an I • NY t-shirt and a Statue of Liberty headband on the New York Subway, for example. Perfect for train-obsessed children, but also for a wider audience, this book teaches young readers about transport and also about cultural signifiers of different cities around the world. Uijung Kim’s busy, colourful illustrations have a manga-like sensibility that feels joyously contemporary. The cities included are: London, New York, Tokyo, Seoul, Moscow, Beijing, Mexico City, Paris, Madrid and Berlin.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Transport, Childrens, Trains, Geography

44 pages, Hardcover

Published June 9, 2020

Reviews

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives details and statistics about underground subway systems around the world. There are 10 large subway systems featured, including New York, Mexico City, London, Paris, and Tokyo. The statistics include when the subway system was first opened, how many passengers it carries a year, how many lines are in the city, and the distance the tracks travel.

Each subway system includes a search-and-find illustration with objects to look for hidden in the artwork. I love the cartoon illustrations and how the objects are hidden so cleverly in between train cars or behind passengers. The art is brightly colored, and there are tons of little details in each scene that make it special and interesting.

I am really impressed with how this book is organized. Some of the pages are cropped so that you can flip to see the people inside of the subway trains. It's a smart and effective design.


Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[Ellon · Rating 5 out of 5]

So simple yet so much going on! This book has tons of awesome facts about subway systems around the world and each page has a list of things to find. The things all related somehow to that country and there is even a glossary at the back that explains some of the items. Such an great idea!

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is SUCH a cool book on so many different levels. There is the around the world nature of the book which offers diversity of people and languages and trains, but also invites comparison and discussions about similarities. There is the train aspect which is obvious the focus and for a kid who loves trains there is a lot to learn about subway systems on these pages. There is a look-and-find element that is always fun in this case also encourages a discussion about the culture and food and clothing of the different countries. And then there is the numbers element on each page. The stats about the train provide opportunities for counting, reading longer numbers, comparison with the number stats on other pages - so much potential for learning. We are pretty obsessed with this book. A definite must have for kids who love trains or for adding to your collection of books that take you around the world.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a 3.5 for me. I loved the vibrant colors and how crowded the illustrations were since those imparted the feeling to readers that they, too, were riding on the subway in 10 different countries. Each subway is labeled with its location, and interesting facts about each one are provided along the borders. Those aspects of the book are interesting enough, but what may entice readers even more are the items listed on the right-hand side for them to find. Flipping the page gives a different view of the subway and its station, and readers will need to find paella, a Faberge egg, and a bento box, among other elements that typify the various cultures depicted here. Youngsters who enjoy facts will appreciate knowing the length and history of the various subway tracks. Having traveled to Japan and boarded the Tokyo cars, I can attest to the fact that it is the busiest subway in the world, as the book indicates. There is a helpful glossary that explains some of the objects that readers are trying to find. This book is interesting and gives a glimpse into life in places as diverse as Beijing, London, and Madrid.

[Christine Turner]

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Note: Uijung Kim is originally from South Korea.

2021: Texas 2x2 List
https://txla.org/tools-resources/read...

Find out about world cities and their underground systems in this fun seek-and-find book! Alternating shortened pages introduce the subways of 12 different cities. On the first page we see the exterior of the train, and are presented with fascinating facts and figures about the transport system. On the following, shortened page, we find the inside of the train and the platform, bustling with activity. On this busy page, young readers are invited to spot key items that are unique to the city in question; a pretzel, an I * NY t-shirt and a Statue of Liberty headband on the New York Subway, for example. Perfect for train-obsessed children, but also for a wider audience, this book teaches young readers about transport and also about cultural signifiers of different cities around the world.

The cities included are: London, New York, Tokyo, Seoul, Moscow, Beijing, Mexico City, Paris, Madrid and Berlin.

[Jennifer Noonan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful picture book introduction to the concept of subways, and a snap shot of 10 different subways systems around the world. The colorful illustrations will appeal to young children, and the highlighted facts will give them and their caregivers something to talk about. There is no narrative "story" told, per se. But sharing it together will promote lots of discussion. As a former New Yorker, I was surprised to learn the A train tracks are 48 miles long, and seriously impressed to learn that more that 99% of trains in the Moscow underground run on time! There is a seek and find element to it, and children will have lots of fun searching for the different cultural icons associated with each country represented. Recommended for gift giving, it will also provide a wonderful travel activity for young ones riding in the car on a long trip.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully bold illustrated picture book about subway systems around the world. The ten cities covered are in alphabetical order but the book starts with all of them placed on a world map on the content page spread. Every city has a spread with a couple of facts, the name of the city on the left side in a mosaic illustration from top to bottom, and a find section on the right of the spread. The reader is enticed to find these objects when they turn a half page die cut and see the crowded subway empty out on a platform with unique users of the subway system. The illustrations are colorful and will entice students in younger grades but can be a great social studies book on transportation in second or third grade. An addition for any library.
Pre Kindergarten through 1st grade
R
Oral

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A survey of ten cities' subway systems with a page of infographics followed by a seek-and-find page that includes items unique to that location's people and culture. Cities included are Beijing, London, Madrid, Mexico City, Moscow, New York, Paris, Seoul, Sydney, and Tokyo.

A very creative book in that it incorporates statistics and infographic type pages along with seek-and-find pages. Kids will enjoy the hunts (which are harder than they first appear) and learn about some of the major subway systems of the world. Math classes and social studies classes could both use this book. Also recommended for curious kids and those who like seek-and-find books.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

An informative book with an element of play, Underground is a Where's Waldo type book for anyone who loves subways. In addition to the search and find, there are lots of facts about each of the subways listed. What's the busiest subway in Europe, for example? The busiest subway in the world? How about the largest subway? Also - there is a glossary included in the back of the book that provides a definition for all of the interesting items you are looking for! A Noh mask in Tokyo and a pretzel in New York, for example.
I am glad this is a TLA 2x2. It might have gotten lost in the stacks but now kids and parents will have fun learning amazing subway facts!

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

My four-year-old nephew loves this book. He’s really into trains and the illustrations in this book are fun, colorful, culturally relevant, and modern (the graphic designer in me approves). I went to design university with a lot of Korean Americans who were talented at illustration—so I’m not surprised that the author & illustrator is Korean.

The book itself is sort of like a Where’s Waldo for trains, and it’s great that different operating speed statistics and passenger data from global trains from around the world are included (high IQ kid stuff).

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprisingly difficult search and find book featuring subways systems across the globe. Each subway also has various math facts included. The illustration style is cute and cartoony, and the things to find are all cultural items from that place (A glossary in the back briefly defines each of the cultural items). Such a unique way to discover parts of the world! I am proud to say I've been on all but two of these subway systems (Moscow and Mexico City).

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun! I don't think I learned much about subway systems; the only fact I remember is that the Russian subway is over 99.9% on time, and I seriously doubt that figure. But the people crammed in the illustrations were fun and I enjoyed seeking out all the doo-dads. If I found myself getting frustrated I just had my agreeable son find them for me. (The New York taxi would have stymied me for ages.)

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a seek-and-find meets random-trivia picture book about subways from around the world. What works: attractive illustrations and some interesting subway trivia from interesting places. What doesn't work: basically it's too random so this isn't be a useful information book for comparing / contrasting - a chart or list at the end would have sufficed. An interesting book to browse, especially for young subway enthusiasts.

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting tour of ten global train tunnels covering some serious underground turf. A search-and-find element in each city introduces young readers to cultural items popular to each region (think a bulldog in London and a bento box in Tokyo). This is a colorful, high-interest pick for transportation loving little readers!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is like an educational Where's Waldo for young kids and it was so colorful and fun. I know my students will love finding the different items in each subway location. I love that they are items that are unique/related to that area of the world while also including facts about the subway systems.

[Vannessa Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Underground Subway Systems Around The World was very informative. In addition to being a story about underground subway systems it is a book of finding things. We learn about subway systems all over the world. We learn about miles of rail track, the speeds, how many stations and a few other relevant things. The colorful illustrations were great!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun seek-and-find book with colorful illustrations and facts about major cities' subway systems throughout the world. The whole family had fun reading this book. The glossary in the back was also quite informative regarding the items from different cultures that were hidden in the illustrations.

[Yentl ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! It is such a fun read. It is a look and find mixed with facts about the different subway systems around the world. The little details are so great and the colors of the illustrations are so vivid. In the Tokyo subway, there was a kawaii backpack in the shape of Totoro! So cute!

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and fun for children and adults. This has many uses for mathematics and social studies lessons. It is also an adorable game. Glossary at the end is perfect. I wish it had a bibliography or suggestions for further reading.

[Brittany]

Read and reviewed for School Library Journal (issue 2020-08-01).

Full text TK:
https://www.slj.com/?reviewDetail=und...

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exploring world cities and their subway systems in a fun, colorful search-and-find book.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inclusive book pairs world subway factoid with Where's Waldo seek 'n find.

[Alicia (aliciasalwaysreading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cool book! My 4 year old really enjoyed the seek & find aspect and I really enjoyed learning about so many different countries.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Information AND a search-and-find?! yes, please! I had so much fun looking for each item on the two-page spread-- and I'm 32! lol

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A creative twist on search-and-find books, perfect for kids who love maps, trains, and brightly colored illustrations with lots of detail.

[Jerilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool non-Americentric look at cultures via train systems around the world. Belongs in every school library and primary school classrooms.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.