The ABCs of NYC: Life Lessons in City Streets

I originally began making a book- The ABCs of NYC- in 2006, as both a fun and challenging project (just because...) and, as it progressed, as a gift for a friend's daughter's first birthday. One of the letter Gs in this book is the first one I noticed and the one that gave me the idea to attempt to find the complete alphabet.

One of the most fun things that happened between then and today, is we had kids of our own and we had fun looking for letters together.

In today's connected world, being present can be difficult for us and our children. Increasingly, as we walk down the street, we observe people walking right at us, unaware, while focusing on their phones. I'll admit, I've done it too. We miss so much while looking at and responding to our screens; while riding in a car, sitting on an airplane, sitting outside on a bench, etc. We are too often not present in those moments. We miss the details. Forget about noticing abstract letters; we are lucky if we see the car making a turn through the crosswalk we are using!

It only recently occurred to me that looking for letters forced me to notice; the effort caused me to be present. You absolutely will not notice, among other things, abstract letters in architecture, nature, etc. unless you are present; unless your mind is open.

I hope that you and your children enjoy this book together and, more importantly, I hope you enjoy getting lost in looking for your own letters and sharing those and that time with each other!

• David