Skip to Main Content

Nelly Takes New York

A Little Girl's Adventures in the Big Apple

Illustrated by Kristi Valiant

About The Book

The Big Apple may be hiding in the place you least expect it in this spunky introduction to the best parts of New York.

Nelly lives in New York, the greatest city in the world.

Every morning, she wakes up to the rumble of the subways and the honking of cars.
Every morning, she can smell the food cart downstairs and hear the rat-a-tat-tat of the street musicians outside.
Every morning, she goes outside to be in the city she knows like the back of her hand—or does she?

One morning, Nelly and her dog Bagel decide to find out what New York is really about—or more specifically, why a city that has nothing to do with apples is the Biggest Apple of them all. Could there really be a giant apple somewhere in New York? And where is it hiding?

About The Authors

Photograph © Tricia McCormack Photography

Allison Pataki is the New York Times bestselling author of five adult fiction novels, one nonfiction memoir, and two children’s books, Nelly Takes New York and Poppy Takes Paris. Allison’s books have been translated into more than twenty languages. A former news writer and producer, Allison graduated cum laude from Yale University with a major in English. An avid traveler and reader, Allison lives in New York with her husband, children, and rescue pup. To learn more and connect with Allison, please visit AllisonPataki.com.

Marya Myers is an early literacy author and editor. Having worked with children in a broad capacity from teaching, coaching, tutoring, and developing curricula for classrooms across the country, she became inspired to combine her passion for traveling and teaching into storytelling. She graduated from Yale University with a major in history and received her Master’s degree in early childhood education and special education from Teachers College at Columbia University. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband and child.

About The Illustrator

Kristi Valiant is the illustrator of Pretty Minnie in Paris, Pretty Minnie in Hollywood, the Little Wings chapter book series, and Penguin Cha-Cha, which she wrote and illustrated. She graduated magna cum laude from Columbus College of Art & Design. Kristi lives (and dances!) in Indiana with her husband and daughters. Visit Kristi online KristiValiant.com.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (May 14, 2019)
  • Length: 48 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781534425057
  • Ages: 4 - 8

Browse Related Books

Raves and Reviews

"A delicious introduction to one of the world’s greatest cities that is perfect for storytime or one-on-one sharing." - School Library Journal

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this illustrator: Kristi Valiant

More books in this series: Big City Adventures