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link to the story being read aloud
link to the story being read aloud
matt de la pena, christian robinson
matt de la pena, christian robinson
Book Type(s): picture book, diverse perspectives, book with a moral, realistic fiction
Age or Grade Range: Ages 2-6 years
Award(s): Newberry Medal (2016), Caldecott Honor for Illustrations (2016), Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor (2016)
Book Summary
Book Summary
This is the story of CJ and his Nana, who ride the bus from church until the very last stop and all the people they meet along the way. Some are regulars, some they are meeting for the first time. All come from completely different backgrounds. There is the blind man, the man with tattoos up and down his arms, the pregnant woman, and the man with a guitar. Nana is kind to them all and is a living, breathing example of inclusion, acceptance, and humility, a beautiful role model for her grandson. It is a story of imagination and seeing beauty around every corner.
Content
Content
This story may be a bit long for very early readers. The sentences are also lengthy. I personally feel that this story is geared more for 1st to 3rd graders. The story may seem familiar to those with low socioeconomic status, at the same time teaching children to see the beauty in everything. In a story like this, it is sometimes difficult to avoid stereotypes, but the author and illustrator manage to do it. We actually don't even know where CJ and his Nana live; they are taking the bus to the soup kitchen. Nice twist!
Illustrations
Illustrations
The award-winning illustrations make use of primary colors and shapes to appeal to children. Details like the graffiti on the walls and the overlays of butterflies during CJ's imagining stint keep the reader interested. The illustrations extend the setting of text for sure.
Format
Format
The text is in a poetic rhyming format, but the rhyme scheme is not always present. The sentences may be too long for this age group. This book is meant to be read aloud at first, especially to younger readers, who may not be able to read the text.
Overall Evaluation
Overall Evaluation
I loved this book so much I gifted it to one of my students who was obsessed with buses. It is a beautiful story of acceptance and inclusion, of living in accordance to one's faith. And it has a great moral--learning to find beauty in even the darkness and in all people.
For Future Professionals to Use With Children
For Future Professionals to Use With Children
This book could be used to help teach acceptance and inclusion, as well as how to be a generally good person.
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