This post is inspired by a picture book biography that I came across recently…
Who Was Jane Jacobs?
Jane Jacobs (1916-2006) was a journalist, urbanist, and activist based in New York City and later Toronto. Although she had no formal training as an urban planner, she published a seminal work, The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961). Jacobs “championed a community-based approach to city building.”
- She saw cities as ecosystems
- She promoted high density, short blocks, and local economies
- She fought against expressways through neighbourhoods
- She encouraged people to pay attention and be active in their communities
Jane’s Walk
“Jane’s Walk is an annual festival of free, citizen-led walking conversations inspired by Jane Jacobs.” During the first week of May in cities around the world people connect with their neighbours and communities through these walking tours.
Walking in the City with Jane
Walking in the City with Jane: A Story of Jane Jacobs is a picture book inspired by Jacobs’ life. Although it conveys her enthusiasm, explains her beliefs, and describes her influential accomplishments, I don’t think the topics are particularly interesting for young children. I also found the narrative somewhat choppy. The way her opponent, Robert Moses, was villainized left me wondering if the story was a little too one-sided. In conclusion, Jane Jacobs’ life and work are certainly interesting, but I wouldn’t pick up this picture book unless you particularly want to share her story with your kids.
