Books published by publisher Universal

Ever wondered what people are doing in cities all over the world at any given moment? Piero Ventura’s charmingly illustrated children’s book—appreciated by both young and old—brings bustling scenes of major cities to life in intricate detail. This facsimile edition of Ventura’s original book, first published in 1975, provides a colorful, educational, and unique tour of major world cities. Delight in each city as you look for the London policeman holding up traffic, children shoveling the heavy snow of the side streets in Moscow, clerks waiting on customers in a huge Parisian department store, or the steam rising from the Chinese food cooking on a tiny houseboat in Hong Kong. The finely drawn illustrations and humorous details in Book of Cities are a celebration of the many ways people live, work, travel, and have fun in the major cities of the world.

New York’s Unique & Unexpected Places is written for adventurers and dreamers who want to explore the city’s uncommon, but fascinating, less familiar sites. This beguiling book will delight urban enthusiasts, New Yorkers, and the countless tourists determined to discover—and sometimes rediscover—these fifty memorable destinations. Visit a cutting-edge center for architecture, a Dutch farmhouse surprisingly perched on Broadway, the sublime chapel designed by Louise Nevelson, idiosyncratic museums dedicated to finance and firefighting and subway cars, the historic home of Louis Armstrong, and a spectacular garden overlooking the Hudson.

A magnificently illustrated, interactive pop-up book chronicles the history of ancient Egypt and its diverse cultural innovations, covering everything to the construction of the Egyptian pyramids and the elaborate mummification process, to the mysterious rites performed at an Egyptian god's temple and the ancient hieroglyphic writings. 20,000 first printing.

Kick off the holidays with the official 90th anniversary celebration of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has delighted millions of fans in Herald Square and around the world since 1924. The book is filled with exclusive and archival images of the spectacular floating balloons that have charmed millions of old and young alike for decades, and offers readers a never-before-seen look at the planning and preparation of the parade. It also features spectacular images of hundreds of dazzling floats throughout the years and the thousands participating in marching bands and as costumed performers. Of course, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade ends the way the actual parade does—with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, who welcome the world to start their holidays in the most joyous way possible. With a special foreword written by New York’s own Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, this book is sure to be a perennial addition to every family’s holiday tradition.

With gentle wisdom and visual originality, this deceptively simple book makes the case that compassion is the solution to humanity’s challenges. The perfect book for any child curious about differences and diversity, this visually driven story bears a decidedly modern and inspiring message about compassion, cooperation, and a sense of shared humanity—all qualities that appear increasingly rare in recent months. With simple black-and-white drawings—little more than black and white dots and the images (of a hamburger, of a skyscraper, of a Ferris wheel, etc.) they make when arranged just so—this fantastic tale of neighbors tells a story of a world, much like our own, of haves and have-nots. Beginning with a set of prosperous dots on one page and another set of impoverished dots on the other, the book takes us through their struggle to bridge their differences. Just when it looks look like the dots will be forever doomed, they work together to find a solution that will help them all. Great things happen when we learn to share and work together.

A little bit naughty and a lot nice, Serendipity 3 is a colorful culinary landmark for New York's sweets-seeking families, tourists, and scenemakers alike. Serendipity Sundaes (following on the success of their last book, Sweet Serendipity) is chock-full of entertaining inspiration for creating your own versions of its world-famous towering treats at home. Sprinkled throughout the many easy recipes are morsels of the restaurant's celebrity-studded history and candy-colored personality. Wit and whimsy abound in the realm of Serendipity—there's the Strawberry Fields Sundae, the Cheesecake Vesuvius, and the Outrageous Banana Split, to name but a few. Don't forget the many melting sundae spinoffs either—the famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, Ice Cream Sandwiches, and Milkshakes and Malteds. For the truly devoted decadents, there is also a section on making your own ice cream, sauces, and special toppings from scratch. Praise for the restaurant: "When you find something this good, it must be shared." —Oprah Winfrey "Bad moods melt quickly here." —Saveur

Pop-Up Book of Ships is a dramatic pop-up journey into the world’s maritime past, presenting various maritime cultural innovations. From the early explorers such as the Santa Maria to the famous Mayflower; from marauding pirate ships to frigates like the Bonhomme Richard and the U.S.S. Constitution; from a quaint Mississippi riverboat to the luxurious S.S. Normandie ocean liner and a superbly crafted America’s Cup yacht; from impressive aircraft carriers such as the Intrepid or Enterprise to the most advanced nuclear submarine. Readers will learn about the H.M.S. Victory, labeled a "first-rate ship," a designation that was used as early as the eighteenth century by the British Royal Navy for its largest ships mounting 100 guns or more; or that unlike a traditional square-rigged ship, the sails of a Chinese junk can be moved toward the long axis of the ship, allowing a junk to sail into the wind, to name only two. Pop-Up Book of Ships presents a dynamic history of some of the world’s greatest maritime adventures. Colorful, informative, and fun, Pop-Up Book of Ships adeptly showcases maritime adventure and lure of the sea, and is a fascinating book for sailors and seamen of all ages.

In the tradition of Peterson's ABC of Birds follows Peterson's Colors, the most recent delightful book for little bird watchers from author and designer Rudy Hoglund. Charmingly illustrated with paintings by Roger Tory Peterson, legendary bird authority and artist, this book will not only help young children learn their colors, but also foster their interest in birds and nature.Roger Tory Peterson is the creator of the Peterson's Field Guides, featuring Eastern and Western birds. He created a visual system of identification that revolutionized the birding world. Peterson's work has not only influenced the way we see birds, but has profoundly inspired environmental movements throughout the world.Teaching children the importance of their part in the natural world has always been paramount in the career of Dr. Peterson. He provided leadership in the founding of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, whose primary mission is to provide educational programs to schools throughout the nation.Recognizing birds as part of a child's life is a fun way to become acquainted with nature. We hope you enjoy Roger Tory Peterson's Colors.

Teen girls want their bedrooms to be more than places to sleep. Now the author of the hit column "Cool Room" has created the ultimate bedroom makeover guide. With a little paint, a bit of glue, and some creative thinking, Montano shows girls how to transform rooms so that they reflect blossoming individuality. Featuring the makeovers of fifteen bedrooms of real girls, each chapter includes an interview, before and after shots, and step-by-step instructions for completing the inexpensive projects, and a comprehensive resource guide!

Magically bringing the sights, sounds, and sprit of the holiday season to life, Grandma Moses's unique illustrations elevate Moore's text to a new level. Readers will delight as they escape the commercialism of today's holiday season and share in the experience of a real New England Christmas. Like a warm cup of cocoa on a snowy evening, the book envelops you in the comfort of tradition, innocence and simplicity. Author, curator, and principal of Grandma Moses Properties, Jane Kallir has provided an introduction highlighting Grandma Moses's impact on the art world, and on America in the postwar years. This fully authorized edition of The Night Before Christmas is the perfect gift for children, adults, fans of Grandma Moses, and art lovers.