Miroslav Sasek Books

A charming biography of the artist behind the bestselling This is series of children s books which have sold over a million copies since being reissued by Universe illustrated in the style of Miroslav Sasek himself.

On the heels of the runaway bestsellers This is New York and This is Paris, Universe is pleased to reissue another title from M. Sasek's beloved and nostalgic children's travel series. Like the other Sasek classics, This is Venice is a facsimile edition of his original book from the 1960s and is still timely and current in every way. The brilliant, vibrant illustrations have been meticulously preserved, remaining true to his vision more than 40 years later and, where applicable, facts have been updated for the twenty-first century, appearing on a This is...Today page at the back of the book. The stylish, charming illustrations, coupled with Sasek's witty, playful narrative, makes for a perfect souvenir that will delight both children and their parents, many of whom will remember this book from their childhood. This is Venice, first published in 1961, presents indelible impressions of romantic, watery Venice, where under a brilliant blue sky Sasek the gondolier navigates the winding canals to visit such famous and glorious landmarks as the Palazzo Grassi, Piazza San Marco, Doges Palace, and the Accademia di Belle Arti.

With the same wit and perception that distinguished his charming books on London, New York, and San Francisco, here this famous Czech painter presents his impressions of Paris in This Is Paris, first published in 1959 and now updated for the 21st century.  We see its famous buildings, its beautiful gardens, the museums, the sidewalk cafes, and the people who live there -- artists, the concierges, the flower girls, and even the thousands of cats. Take a tour along the banks of the Seine, or through the galleries of the Louvre, or to the top of the Eiffel Tower.  Elegant, vivid pictures of one of the most beautiful cities in the world, This is Paris!

Let the rumbling cable car tell you the story! And what a From the crookedest street in the world to the Peking ducks in Chinatown, San Francisco is easily one of the world's most enchanting cities. Illustrator Miroslav Sasek captures both the breathtaking landscape and the cosmopolitan flavor of the City by the Bay in  This is San Francisco.  First published in 1962, Sasek's jaunty, colorful illustrations will still dazzle kids and adults alike.

Like the other Sasek classics, this is a facsimile edition of the original book. The brilliant, vibrant illustrations have been meticulously preserved, remaining true to his vision more than 40 years later. Facts have been updated for the 21st-century, appearing on a "This is . . . Today" page at the back of the book. These charming illustrations, coupled with Sasek's witty, playful narrative, make for a perfect souvenir that will delight both children and their parents, many of whom will remember the series from their own childhoods. This is Rome , first published in 1960, traces the history of Roman civilization to bring to life the Rome of the 60's. Sasek navigates Rome's busy, winding streets to visit such glorious historical landmarks as the statues of Michelangelo, Vatican City, the Pantheon, and the Fontana di Trevi-and to show us the eccentricities of modern Roman life, from its colorful trains, trams, and taxis to its chic espresso bars and pasta houses.

Continuing the success of the runaway best sellers This is New York and This is London comes the latest title from M. Sasek’s beloved and nostalgic children’s travel series. Sasek’s This is Washington, D.C. is a facsimile edition of his original book, which was first published in 1969. The brilliant illustrations have been meticulously preserved, with the facts updated for the twenty-first century. The charming illustrations, coupled with Sasek’s playful narrative, makes for a perfect souvenir that will delight children and parents alike. Super-tourist Sasek paints Washington red, white, and blue as he tours the nation’s capital. Stops include the Washington Monument (which commands a view of all the Federal buildings and most of the museums, monuments, and memorials), the White House (whose lawn is a grassy launching pad for the President’s helicopter), and the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park, the last residence of the world’s most famous ursine, Smokey the Bear! With bright pictures and snappy commentary, Sasek wittily captures all the fascinating things to do and see in a city of green parks, wide avenues, and classic white porticoes. Designed by a Frenchman and renowned for its cherry blossoms, This is Washington, D.C.!

With the same wit and perception that distinguished his stylish books on Paris, London, and Rome, M. Sasek pictures fabulous, big-hearted New York City in This Is New York, first published in 1960 and now updated for the 21st century.  The Dutchman who bought the island of Manhattan from the Native Americnas in 1626 for twenty-four dollars' worth of handy housewares little knew that his was the biggest bargain in American history.  For everything about New York is big -- the buildings, the traffic jams, the cars, the stories, the Sunday papers.  Here is the Staten Island Ferry, the Statute of Liberty, MacDougal Alley in Greenwich Village, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Harlem, Chinatown, Central Park. The brass,  the beauty, the magic, This Is New York!

Like the other Sasek classics, these are facsimile editions of his original books. The vibrant illustrations have been preserved, remaining true to his vision, and where applicable facts have been updated, appearing on a This is...Today page at the back of each book. The charming illustrations, coupled with Sasek's witty, playful narrative, make for perfect souvenirs that will delight both children and their parents, many of whom will remember them from their own childhood. This is Britain, first published in 1974, encompasses the nation's many facets, from the mystery of Stonehenge to the monuments of the British Isles. Among his stops are the White Cliffs of Dover; Brighton's Prince Regent's Royal Pavilion; the castles and Tintern Abbey in Wales; and Scotland's four Royal Palaces and long lochs. This is Israel, first published in 1962, visits the Promised Land, a sun-drenched panorama of many hues and many traditions. From the Sea of Galilee to the Red Sea (it's really blue); from modern Tel Aviv to Jerusalem new and old; from Mt. Zion to King Solomon's mines; Sasek presents the biblical glory of its past and the golden hope of its future.

Like the other Sasek classics, these are facsimile editions of his original books. The brilliant, vibrant illustrations have been meticulously preserved, remaining true to his vision more than forty years later and, where applicable, facts have been updated for the twenty-first century, appearing on a This is . . . Today page at the back of each book. The stylish, charming illustrations, coupled with Sasek's witty, playful narrative, make these books a perfect souvenir that will delight both children and their parents, many of whom will remember them from their own childhood. In This is the Way to the Moon, first published in 1963, Sasek rockets readers to Cape Canaveral--the space capital of the world, a science-fiction-turned-fact spot on the Florida coast--with a nostalgic look at the electronic brains that put our man up into space and brought him down again. Also included are the updated statistics about the lunar landing and a mini history of NASA's space program.

Like the other Sasek classics, This is Munich is a facsimile edition of his original book, which was first published in 1969. The brilliant illustrations have been meticulously preserved and facts updated for the twenty-first century. The charming illustrations coupled with Sasek’s playful narrative make for a perfect souvenir that will delight both children and parents. Sasek introduces children—and many adults alike—to the ancient Bavarian capital. Stops include the New Town Hall, the Frauenkirche cathedral, and Munich’s most famous beer hall. With bright pictures and snappy commentary, Sasek wittily captures all the fascinating things to do and see in this German seat of culture—This is Munich!