City of Neighbors by Andrea Curtis, illustrated by Katy Dockrill

Neighborhoods where people look out for each other, eat together, make art and build community are healthier, happier, greener and cleaner. Journey around the world to discover how people have been dreaming up new ways to ensure their cities and neighbourhoods are creative, inclusive and environmentally sustainable.

These placemaking ideas can be big like the skateboard park built on the grounds of an orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya or small like the painted rock snake that winds along a beach in Toronto, Ontario. Together, we can create public spaces where everyone belongs.

The picture book also includes a list of ideas for children to get involved in their neighborhoods, along with a glossary and sources for further reading.

The ThinkCities series is inspired by the urgency for new approaches to city life as a result of climate change, population growth and increased density. It highlights the challenges and risks cities face, but also offers hope for building resilience, sustainability and quality of life as young people advocate for themselves and their communities.

(From Groundwood Books)

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Andrea Curtis is a Toronto-based author of books for children and adults. Her children's nonfiction titles include A Forest in the City, City of Water, City Street are for People and City of Neighbors in the ThinkCities series. She is also the author of the young adult novel Big Water. Her adult books include Into the Blue, winner of the Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction, and The Stop, co-authored by Nick Saul.

Katy Dockrill is a Toronto-based illustrator and an honours graduate from Ontario College of Art and Design who has won a number of awards for her editorial work. She has illustrated City of Water and City of Neighbors in the ThinkCities series, among other titles.