Cyclops of Central Park

PreS-Gr 2–When the Cyclops of Central Park loses one of his 18 sheep, he must leave the comfort and security of his cave and traverse the entire city to get him back, stopping at some very familiar landmarks along the way. By the end of his journey, he’s not only found his missing sheep, but the courage to adventure out into the world with his flock. Nods to many New York City sights and institutions—The Guggenheim, Time Square, Yankee Stadium, the Statue of Liberty—are woven into the text and background art, which makes the fun journey worthwhile. The graphic-style watercolor and gouache paintings definitely elevate the entire piece; the use of bold color matched against an often negative background highlights and celebrates the artist’s fascinating attention to detail. From Tentler-Krylov’s unique character design to the varied textures in the clothes they wear, the illustrations capture the magic of the city and show the beauty of life and adventures with friends.