New York: The New York International Children's Film Festival

From the Studio Ghibli film "From up on Poppy Hill"

If you're in New York City this week and looking for something to do - take note (and hop to it!)... The 2013 New York International Children's Film Festival is running through Sunday. You won't find so many wonderful cinematic options for children anywhere else - the festival features 100 films (shorts and narratives; live action and animation), as well as workshops and filmmaker Q&As. There's even a series of spring break camps following the festival for inspired young film-goers.

From "A Cat in Paris" (nominated for an Oscar in 2012 after playing the 2011 festival)

The festival was inaugurated in 1997 and has become a serious and respected business - the festival now includes a distribution arm, and its jury includes such notables as Susan Sarandon, Gus Van Sant, and Uma Thurman. The real audience is always the children though - films are geared for ages 3 - 18, and young viewers may vote for their favorites.

Herb Lester Maps and Guides

How to Find Old LA

Herb Lester, I think I love you.  At least, I am head over heels for your fabulous maps and guides.  While not strictly for parents or children, these charming little guides highlight particular shades of each city that can work for all ages - for example, the Los Angeles guide is titled "How to Find Old LA"and directs you to "glittering 1920s movie palaces, down-and-dirty bars, ballrooms, diners and pizza joints." Now, you really should avoid taking your child to a "down-and-dirty bar" - but a 1920s movie palace and old-school diner might be just the ticket.

Paris for Pleasure Seekers

Another guide - "It's Nice to Be Alone in Paris" - is certainly directed at the solo traveler rather than the traveller with offspring in tow.  But don't despair - there is also "Paris for Pleasure Seekers" - this one sounds rather adult but includes spots like "belle epoque restaurants, opulent cinemas, and beatnik bookshops", as well as where to find macaroons.  All useful information for the imaginative parent.

With the Madrid map as our guide, "from the relative safety of cable car we gaze down at the vast expanse of the Casa de Campo, explore shops selling gloves, campling gear, old postcards and espadrilles, visit an abandoned station and one with its own forest." I'm not sure whether it's a station or a shop with it's own forest; either one sounds intriguing.

Herb Lester's European Vacation and American Vacation

Coast to Coast Christmas Gift Set

An East London Companion

There is an emphasis on London and New York City maps, but there are maps for Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Austin. You can even subscribe to the series - Herb Lester will mail you each new map as it is published.  I can't think of a more perfect gift for the sophisticated traveller in your life (perhaps this person is you!).

Hurricane Sandy Help

Breezy Point, Queens (photograph by Mario Tama/Getty Images, from nytimes.com)

New York City is one of our favorite places on the planet - a beautiful, astonishing capital of world culture...  Our heart is breaking for the people of New Jersey, New York, and other many places affected by the storm.  Please consider (as we have done) making a donation to help those in need, either to the Red Cross, or another organization.

One worthy alternative is Henry Street Settlement, which provides a range of services to needful New Yorkers of all ages (according to their news page, they provided 19,000 meals yesterday!).

Upcoming LiveStream: Century of the Child from NYC MOMA

A while back I posted about the exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, Century of the Child: Growing by Design, 1900-2000.  The exhibit runs for a few more weeks, through November 5.

This Friday afternoon (U.S. Eastern Time), the Museum is hosting a symposium entitled The Child in the City of Play, which will be livestreamed. While not directly related to travel, the symposium will touch on themes that should be inspiring to travelers with children, including the intersection of Cities and Play.  I plan to listen to at least part of it - join me!

New York City: Century of the Child

Series of personifications of childhood misdeeds, 1930

This new exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City looks like lots of fun: Century of the Child surveys the period from the turn of the last century, when the concept of childhood as a special time apart from the world of adults really took hold. The exhibit takes inspiration from Swedish "design reformer and social theorist" Ellen Key's 1900 book Century of the Child.

Lego building bricks, 1954-58

One of Them Had Polio, Skilled Teamwork Brought Recovery, 1949-50

Crosby Chair, 1998

The book "...presaged the 20th century as a period of intensified focus and progressive thinking regarding the rights, development, and well-being of children as interests of utmost importance to all society." The exhibit features historical toys, games, furniture, posters, and other fascinating artifacts.

Child's Wheelbarrow, 1923

Optical Color-Mixer, 1924

War is Not Healthy for Children and Other Living Things, 

by Lorraine Schneider, 1966

My son was particularly taken with a photograph of a set of over-sized furniture, made so that adults can experience what it's like to be small.

"Maxi" set including Tripp Trapp chair, by Peter Opsvik

The show includes special art programs for families; see the calendar for details and dates. You can also explore the exhibit online here.