![]() ![]() I think few would argue that the most sublime spread is the one in which the guitar music CJ hears on the bus lifts him out of mundane reality, out of the busy city, and into a world of nature, where butterflies ‘dance free’ and waves crash against a sunset sky. It’s such a simple composition, but with its shapes and colors so artfully arranged. ![]() (In that same spread, note the way the tree behind them is composed of a collaged white trunk and painted green leaves, giving the tree remarkable texture and beauty.) On another spread, rectangles rule: the dark blue bus stop contrasts with the white sidewalk and bus, which contrasts with the green car, etc. One of my favorite double-page spreads shows Nana and CJ walking to the bus shelter in the rain, Nana holding her orange umbrella aloft and CJ, in his highly individual yellow shirt (with blue and orange stripes on the sleeves), closer to the puddled street, which reflects those oranges and yellows beautifully. The colors sing, with eye-catching blocks of color throughout, all in perfect accord with one another. The acrylic paintings and collage are artfully simple, and like Peter in The Snowy Day, CJ is an everychild - and a brown everychild. The Horn Book Magazine review basically said that the book was channeling Ezra Jack Keats, “in spirit and visual style,” and I think that pretty much captures its feel and appeal. Matt de la Pena’s text is both sensory and colloquial, with believable-sounding dialogue, and an equally believable relationship between grandmother and grandson.īut we’re here to talk about Christian Robinson’s art. And other messages as well: the value of helping the less fortunate, how to grow up to be a good person (as guided by your Nana). Last Stop on Market Street is a lovely, warm picture book, with strong and commendable themes of intergenerational friendship, building community, and finding beauty in unlikely places. We’re starting with a book that was published early in the year, in fact in January, to much excitement and praise. We are trying to present the books more generally in order of publication this year, in hopes that readers will have a better chance of knowing the books as they’re discussed. They share author videos, book lists, reading tips, and more.And we’re off, with the first book discussion of the season. Read to Them began this initiative in Virginia over twenty years ago, and it has grown to be a national event with increasing participation from authors, publishers, and other literacy and children’s literature advocates. As our country continues to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic, they want to encourage families and classrooms to take some time to find moments of gratitude. This year, the week falls on October 24-30 – in just two weeks! We invite you to join in the celebration.Įach year, they pick a theme. Each October, they sponsor Read Aloud to a Child Week, highlighting the importance – and fun – of reading aloud. Read to Them is a nonprofit located in Richmond, Virginia, working to bring a culture of literacy to every home. ![]()
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