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On Market Street Hardcover – Picture Book, August 25, 2020
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“Bursting with…surprise and delight. An inexhaustible visual feast.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
In this acclaimed picture book by Anita and Arnold Lobel, take a stroll down Market Street to see the whimsical shopkeepers dressed in their wares on one boy’s fantastical shopping adventure.
Enter a wondrous marketplace like no other that has everything from A to Z! Inspired by 17th-century French engravings, Anita Lobel’s delightful illustrations imaginatively clothe each shopkeeper in their wares. Find one shopkeeper dressed completely in gloves, another covered in wigs, and even one completely dressed in oranges! This beautiful and unique tale takes you on a journey through the alphabet as you discover all the things one boy buys for his special friend during an incredible shopping trip.
- Reading age4 - 8 years
- Print length40 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade levelPreschool - 3
- Lexile measureNP
- Dimensions8.5 x 0.4 x 11 inches
- PublisherSimon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
- Publication dateAugust 25, 2020
- ISBN-101534468153
- ISBN-13978-1534468153
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About the Author
Anita Lobel’s name is synonymous with the best in children’s literature. She is the creator of such classics as Alison’s Zinnia and Away from Home, and she received a Caldecott Honor for her illustrations in On Market Street. She is the creator of three books featuring her cat, Nini: One Lighthouse, One Moon (a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book); Nini Lost and Found; and Nini Here and There. She also wrote Ducks on the Road, which The Horn Book called “cozy.” Her childhood memoir, No Pretty Pictures: A Child of War, was a finalist for the National Book Award. Anita Lobel lives in New York City.
Product details
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
- Publication date : August 25, 2020
- Edition : Illustrated
- Language : English
- Print length : 40 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1534468153
- ISBN-13 : 978-1534468153
- Item Weight : 1 pounds
- Reading age : 4 - 8 years
- Dimensions : 8.5 x 0.4 x 11 inches
- Grade level : Preschool - 3
- Lexile measure : NP
- Best Sellers Rank: #185,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #696 in Stories in Verse
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

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Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers love the book's beautiful illustrations that lead to great conversations, and find it an imaginative picture book for learning the alphabet. Moreover, the book evokes wonderful memories, and customers appreciate its humor. However, the value for money receives mixed feedback, with several customers noting it's not the quality provided.
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Customers praise the book's beautiful illustrations, noting that they lead to great conversations and engage both eyes and imagination, making it an imaginative picture book for learning the alphabet.
"This is one of the most creative and amusing ABC books that exist...." Read more
"The illustrations are wonderful. I have two other books by this author -- Sven's Bridge and As Right as Right Can Be...." Read more
"...This alphabet book is based on a similar concept. It is formally drawn and brightly colored w much to engage one's eyes and imagination." Read more
"This book has great pictures and a favorite alphabet book." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's wonderful memories and consider it a timeless treasure.
"...(and algebra) but I loved this book so much and the memories it brought back were so strong I could not help but order a copy for myself...." Read more
"...Beautiful book.Timeless treasure." Read more
"Timeless book. Glad it was still available and easy to get. AND reasonably priced" Read more
"...from the time it came out, still do, it engenders new ideas and fond memories" Read more
Customers find the book humorous, with one mentioning it's an amusing ABC book.
"This is one of the most creative and amusing ABC books that exist...." Read more
"...I always thought the illustrations were so interesting and funny, to see people's bodies made up of the different items..." Read more
"Loved this book as a kid. Fun art. Now I gift it a lot" Read more
"Fun book...." Read more
Customers appreciate the language in this alphabet book, with one mentioning that the letters represent different things.
"This book has great pictures and a favorite alphabet book." Read more
"...My son loves the detailed pictures and I like it that the letters represent different things than what are most commonly represented in other..." Read more
"Amazingly complex and detailed illustrations, a wonderful alphabet book!..." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the book's value for money, with some finding it reasonably priced while others note that the quality does not match the price.
"...The visuals are perfect for even my ells. It was in great condition as well." Read more
"I am in agreement with the other reviewers who commented on the poor quality of this reproduction of what was a fabulously illustrated children's..." Read more
"One of my all time favorite children's ABC books. It is worth investing in a hardbound copy because the color quality is so much better." Read more
"Love this book, but not the quality provided" Read more
Reviews with images

Beautiful but stylized font confusing for letter recognition.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2025Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseThis is one of the most creative and amusing ABC books that exist. When I used it with a reading group they always asked to go through it the next day, and the next day etc.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2019The illustrations are wonderful. I have two other books by this author -- Sven's Bridge and As Right as Right Can Be.
The last one is an absolute favorite, so it is hard for me to rate this one. (I would give As Right as Right Can Be ten stars. I wish it were more available for purchase; it is hard to find and I want all my grandchildren to have a copy.)
There is so much to look at on each page. I don't know who enjoys these books more -- my grandchildren or me! (My mother introduced me to this author when my children were little, so the goodness keeps getting passed on!)
- Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2021Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseNot really a fan of Anita Lobel's illustrations, but these r done w special care and effectiveness. My mother made a peddler doll for me, carrying her tiny kitchen wares, recalling the peddlers who travelled the Wisconsin countryside covered in their merchandise. This alphabet book is based on a similar concept. It is formally drawn and brightly colored w much to engage one's eyes and imagination.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2023Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseThis book has great pictures and a favorite alphabet book.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2023Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseI have always loved this book, so I am giving it as a gift at a baby shower.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2023Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseGreat artwork and very detailed.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2016I owned this book as a child, and had forgotten it until it was unearthed from my parents' attic. The family copy went to my sister, as my kids already know the alphabet (and algebra) but I loved this book so much and the memories it brought back were so strong I could not help but order a copy for myself. I adore the complexity and detail that went into these illustrations... they are truly marvelous. this is my favorite alphabet book ever, and I I have owned many!
- Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2017I loved this book as a child. My grandma would read it to me. I always thought the illustrations were so interesting and funny, to see people's bodies made up of the different items (apples, books, ice cream, etc). I was so glad to find it for my own child, and we read it frequently as a bedtime story. He gets a kick out of the illustrations as well.
Top reviews from other countries
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虹・心の架け橋Reviewed in Japan on September 27, 2010
5.0 out of 5 stars 眺めているだけでもすてき。プレゼントにおすすめの一冊
男の子がマーケット通りにお買い物に行きます。
アルファベットのA(apples)からZ(zippers)まで、
一件一件お買い物。
イラストの楽しさに、笑いとビックリの連続。
山のように買い込んだ品物。
それは全て「友達へのプレゼント」というエンディングも素敵ですね。
何度眺めても素敵な絵です。
絵本のプレゼントにも、おすすめです。
- celiaReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 23, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars The most beautiful ABC picture book ever
Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseI bought this book for my daughters when they were young and now again for my granddaughters. Absolutely gorgeous illustrations. The children, any age, and their parents love it. A family favorite
- ali cuzReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 9, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Lovely book very pleased
- Nan FryReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 16, 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars a classic
What a fabulous book for inquisitive, active minds. My granddaughter loves it. The colourful pictures with so much to see on every page. wonderful.
- moesReviewed in Canada on July 16, 2020
3.0 out of 5 stars Not much of a story
Great pictures, but no story. More of an Alphabet picture book.