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Old Penn Station
A beautiful tribute to the glory of the original Pennsylvania Railroad Station
During the first half of the 20th century, the original Pennsylvania Station was one of New York City's grandest landmarks, a palace in the middle of Manhattan. William Low's glorious illustrations pay close attention to detail while still encompassing the large-scale grandeur of Penn Station.
Old Penn Station follows a very specific piece of New York City history, but it's not just a New York book. The author's research carefully addresses the whole history of the building, from construction to destruction, ending with an acknowledgment of its lasting legacy in terms of historical preservation. Spaces can be powerful, and Old Penn Station honors one particular powerful space which is sure to engender discussion about other historical buildings and monuments all across the nation.
This is a classic, beautiful book for history lovers, train lovers, and art lovers alike.
Old Penn Station is a 2007 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year and a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
During the first half of the 20th century, the original Pennsylvania Station was one of New York City's grandest landmarks, a palace in the middle of Manhattan. William Low's glorious illustrations pay close attention to detail while still encompassing the large-scale grandeur of Penn Station.
Old Penn Station follows a very specific piece of New York City history, but it's not just a New York book. The author's research carefully addresses the whole history of the building, from construction to destruction, ending with an acknowledgment of its lasting legacy in terms of historical preservation. Spaces can be powerful, and Old Penn Station honors one particular powerful space which is sure to engender discussion about other historical buildings and monuments all across the nation.
This is a classic, beautiful book for history lovers, train lovers, and art lovers alike.
Old Penn Station is a 2007 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year and a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
1 person is currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
William Low
42 books11 followersWilliam Low is a much-lauded illustrator, author, and painter who has received numerous awards. His books include Chinatown and Old Penn Station. He lives in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 5, 2009
Summary and Review-
Old Penn Station is a wonderful informational picture book for young readers. William Low, author and illustrator of this book, was born and raised in New York City. His first-hand knowledge of the subject was evident in this book especially through the detailed and accurate illustrations.
Old Penn Station was the first train station to be built in NYC. Before it was built people would get off a train in New Jersey and get on a ferry to Manhattan. In 1910 a beautiful train station was built, it was actually supposed to seem more like a "palace." In it were restaurants, beautiful waiting rooms, shoeshiners, and more. Beautiful statues were created for both the inside and outside of the station. However, as modes of transportation changed and less people were taking locomotive trains, Old Penn Station began to struggle. It was decided by a number of people in New York to tear down the historic building and move the station underground and make it a base for Madison Square Garden. Sadly, the statues and wonderful architecture was all destroyed. Many people were angry with the destruction of the building and now a Preservation Commission was created to avoid destruction of historical buildings like this.
I found this book to be so interesting because I had absolutely no knowledge of the content. I have been to NY once, but never knew of Old Penn Station or had even thought about how people had gotten to Manhattan in the late 1800s. The text in this book is simple and easy to grasp and the pictures are eye catching (beautiful oil paintings!). This is a great book to read if you're interested in learning about trains or NYC.
Old Penn Station is a wonderful informational picture book for young readers. William Low, author and illustrator of this book, was born and raised in New York City. His first-hand knowledge of the subject was evident in this book especially through the detailed and accurate illustrations.
Old Penn Station was the first train station to be built in NYC. Before it was built people would get off a train in New Jersey and get on a ferry to Manhattan. In 1910 a beautiful train station was built, it was actually supposed to seem more like a "palace." In it were restaurants, beautiful waiting rooms, shoeshiners, and more. Beautiful statues were created for both the inside and outside of the station. However, as modes of transportation changed and less people were taking locomotive trains, Old Penn Station began to struggle. It was decided by a number of people in New York to tear down the historic building and move the station underground and make it a base for Madison Square Garden. Sadly, the statues and wonderful architecture was all destroyed. Many people were angry with the destruction of the building and now a Preservation Commission was created to avoid destruction of historical buildings like this.
I found this book to be so interesting because I had absolutely no knowledge of the content. I have been to NY once, but never knew of Old Penn Station or had even thought about how people had gotten to Manhattan in the late 1800s. The text in this book is simple and easy to grasp and the pictures are eye catching (beautiful oil paintings!). This is a great book to read if you're interested in learning about trains or NYC.
November 23, 2023
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade Level: K - 3rd
This book is all about the history and story of the Old Penn Station in New York City. The author gives real facts about this historical landmark, while also adding in some dialogue to make is more of a story. The illustrations are very captivating and detailed. I highly recommend reading this book with children!
Grade Level: K - 3rd
This book is all about the history and story of the Old Penn Station in New York City. The author gives real facts about this historical landmark, while also adding in some dialogue to make is more of a story. The illustrations are very captivating and detailed. I highly recommend reading this book with children!
February 1, 2024
Very cool book, especially for those of us who've lived in NYC or across the river in Jersey but never knew the old Penn Station. One quibble with the closeup illustrations that show people working and using the station though -- so hard to believe ALL those folks would've appeared white in real life. I would've really appreciated more realistic representation.
February 28, 2018
Sumptuously illustrated.
January 5, 2019
Mentor text. History of Penn Station
December 17, 2020
Don’t bother with this book
This is a children’s book. It is written and illustrated simplistically. If you are looking for something with substance, keep looking somewhere else.
This is a children’s book. It is written and illustrated simplistically. If you are looking for something with substance, keep looking somewhere else.
October 25, 2011
Summary: This book is about the birth, life and death of the Old Penn Station in New York City. The author and illustrator takes us on a journey of life before trains could stop in New York city to the details of the construction for this historical building. It even takes us through the demolishing and construction of the Madison Square Garden and the New Penn Plaza where the Old Pen Station once stood. It was such a historical building that only stood tall for 53 years. Many were sad to see it go but embraced the memories it created.
Age range: This book seems to be written for the young elementary reader, however the rich history that it tells would make this book appropriate for any age. Ages 6-106!
Artistic Elements: This book has beautiful, colorful and vivid pictures to depict the story of the Old Penn Station. Each painting is just as exciting as the story behind it. The paintings take up the entire page and are very detailed. Without reading the words, you can tell the story of the Old Penn Station through the pictures.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book to any native of New York, a lover of trains or someone who appreciates historical structures. Because of the beautiful visualization in this book, I would also recommend this to anyone who appreciates detailed vivid art.
Age range: This book seems to be written for the young elementary reader, however the rich history that it tells would make this book appropriate for any age. Ages 6-106!
Artistic Elements: This book has beautiful, colorful and vivid pictures to depict the story of the Old Penn Station. Each painting is just as exciting as the story behind it. The paintings take up the entire page and are very detailed. Without reading the words, you can tell the story of the Old Penn Station through the pictures.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book to any native of New York, a lover of trains or someone who appreciates historical structures. Because of the beautiful visualization in this book, I would also recommend this to anyone who appreciates detailed vivid art.
May 3, 2015
This is a story about the creation of the Penn Station in Pennsylvania. This book also describes how this station was torn down and still remembered today. It tells about the rich history of the Pennsylvania railways and how it has turned into rubble. This book does a great job explaining the Penn Station and what it did for the city of Pennsylvania. Also, inside this book are amazing illustrations that help give an idea of how the Penn Station felt and looked. This book was missing train terminology and station duties, which would be beneficial to the readers. This book could be used in a classroom as a resource for learning about the state of Pennsylvania. This book could also be used to teach the class about state monuments and what happens to them over time. The lesson on state monuments could even turn into a project, by having students choose one state monument and doing a presentation on it.
Low, W. (2007). Old Penn Station. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.
Low, W. (2007). Old Penn Station. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.
April 23, 2015
A story about the life and death of a magnificent building. Opened in 1910 with much fanfare it would be torn down in 1966 to make way for Madison Square Garden and Penn Plaza. The loss of such an architecturally beautiful building created a firestorm that would lead to the creation of the New York city Landmarks Preservation Commission which would be instrumental in making sure the same fate would not befall Grand Central Station as well as other historic buildings. It makes me sad I never got the chance to see it. I had previously read an adult version about Penn Station so I was thrilled to see a children's version. Beautiful pictures. The over sized format works well in capturing the grandeur of old Penn Station. The Authors Note and the Bibliography and Suggested Reading page are great for those who want to dig deeper.
December 13, 2007
Beautiful book! The illustrations alone make the book a gem. But the story is touching as it tells of how Pennsylvania Station was built and then later destroyed once autos became the main means of transport. Though most readers have obviously never been in the station, once its destruction becomes apparent you are saddened because of the way the author has described its design and construction and impact on those who moved through it on a daily basis.
Penn's destruction provoked the creation of a commission to preserve historic buildings in NYC - like Grand Central - and so it's legacy has survived its physical presence in New York City. The author says buildings are not just concrete and steel, but the "heart and soul" of all cities.
Penn's destruction provoked the creation of a commission to preserve historic buildings in NYC - like Grand Central - and so it's legacy has survived its physical presence in New York City. The author says buildings are not just concrete and steel, but the "heart and soul" of all cities.
July 31, 2015
What a wonderfully simple & poignant book about historic preservation and the life & death of Penn Station. (BTW, I didn't know that Madison Square Garden was built right on top of the old Penn Station location. Cool.)
Great for kids with an obsession of all things transportation. The illustrations are very reminiscent of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, but with more color.
Great for kids with an obsession of all things transportation. The illustrations are very reminiscent of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, but with more color.
October 28, 2011
Old Penn Station is a great book about an important piece of New York City History. It highlights the birth, life and death of the Old Penn Station in New York City as the author and illustrator takes us on a journey describing life before trains could stop in New York City to the details of the construction for this historical building through the destruction where the Old Pen Station once stood.
October 24, 2012
-Was first drawn to this book but its beautiful illustrations.
-Uses full page pictures throughout, on end pages and on cover.
-Non-fiction, very interesting about how it was created, how it was used, and what it looks like today.
-4th grade reading level, some harder words and requires more comprehension.
-Great for introducing a project or researching a topic.
-Uses full page pictures throughout, on end pages and on cover.
-Non-fiction, very interesting about how it was created, how it was used, and what it looks like today.
-4th grade reading level, some harder words and requires more comprehension.
-Great for introducing a project or researching a topic.
July 30, 2014
A non-fiction picture book telling of the life and death of the old Penn Station in New York City. Loving illustrations detail a time that is now all but forgotten. Interesting and enjoyable history makes this a picture book for school-aged children.
February 14, 2009
Beautiful, beautiful book. Zoe loves to read about trains and train stations, I love the paintings (and the train station). We both love the gray and yellow paintings at the end of the book.
October 13, 2011
A very good telling of one of the saddest moments in the history of American culture.
September 4, 2013
I didn't care for this story. The pictures were beautiful but other than that I was uninterested in the facts about trains.
March 6, 2014
Wonderful illustrations accompany simple text describing the construction and destruction of New York's historic Penn Station.
August 7, 2012
A delightful capture of the history of a human, grand space.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews