A Nickel, A Trolley, A Treasure House

by Sharon Reiss Baker, Beth Peck (Illustrations)

Growing up on the Lower East Side, Lionel knows only a tiny tenement apartment and a few crowded streets. He scribbles drawings on every available scrap of paper but doesn’t think much of them—until he takes a momentous streetcar journey to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There, he finds that the world is a wider and more exciting place than he could have imagined.

With gentle humor and fondness, Sharon Reiss Baker tells a story based on her own family history. Evocative paintings by Beth Peck help capture both the safe familiarity of home and the glorious liberation of discovering the world beyond it.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 2007

About the author

Sharon Reiss Baker is the author of the debut YA historical novel Last Days in Moav and acclaimed picture books All Kinds of Strong (a PJ Library selection) and A Nickel, A Trolley, A Treasure House (Sydney Taylor Notable). Locating her stories across the millennia of Jewish history, Sharon blends meticulous research with characters of her own imagination. While her writing habit began in fourth grade with a story about a spider-eating baby, her professional path led to Harvard University and a career as a teacher and administrator. Drawing on her experiences living in Israel, France, Puerto Rico, and across the U.S., Sharon fills her pages with settings as diverse as deserts, gritty urban tenements, and the rolling hills of Connecticut chicken farms. Her writing is also informed by her studies at the Pardes Institute and Hebrew University. Today, she lives in Pennsylvania, where she recently began the study of Gemara.

Reviews

[Wilhelmina Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story of a Jewish immigrant boy living in NYC in the early 1900's who has a talent for drawing. His teacher takes him on a trolley ride for the first time, crossing Delancy to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This book shows the wonders of a museum to a child seeing them for the first time. This story is based on the life of the author's grandfather who became an artist.

[Shoshanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved the story and illustrations in this book about a young boy artist discovering the world outside of his neighborhood and the museum. I adore a Lower East Side setting. I love all the details of the neighborhood and the trolleys, the paintings stand on their own! my only issue is that the text separated into framed blocks really draws your eyes away from the illustrations. I love a picture book with the words more integrated!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully done! This picture book, although lengthy in parts, is a good story to share the appreciation of art, both in museums and in the talent of being able to create art yourself. The illustrations are done in an impressionist style, reminiscent of those found in the museum the boy in the story visited.

[(NS)Jennifer Reiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes place on Manhattan's Lower East side in the early 1900s. Lionel's older brother make deliveries, peddle chestnuts and ices, and shine shoes to help out. Lionel's sister works with their mother in the dress shop. Lionel spends his time drawing anywhere he can. Lionel's parents do not really approve of this hobby, but his teacher encourages his talent. His teacher treats him to a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Before going, he worries about finding the money to take the trolley to the museum. Lionel is blown away with the beauty of the museum.

[Alison]

I met this author at Deborah Brodie's writers' luncheon. For those who think a children's book is easy to write, check at the back matter for the sense of how much research went into this tale of old New York.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful picture book about a Jewish boy in Brooklyn in the early 1900's, and his trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The paintings in the museum inspire him to become an artist. Lots of intriguing bits of culture and the colors of turn-of-the-century New York.

[Kosherbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story about the impact a teacher can have on a child.
Beautiful illustrations!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains a strong story about art, teaching moments, and perseverance, all wrapped up in intriguing illustrations.