Picture Book of the Day: Last Stop on Market Street

Last Stop on Market Street, words by Matt de la Peña, pictures by Christian Robinson.  This heartwarming, moving collaboration between two of the best creators of books for young people working today follows young CJ and his extremely optimistic Nana as they board a bus and head to their destination, the Last Stop on Market Street.  Where are they going?  What is the purpose of their post-church trip?  The answer (which I wouldn't dare spoil) is very poignant.  Although CJ whines a bit about the trek, his grandmother remains totally glass half full.  For example, when he complains about not having a car, she replies, "Boy, what do we need a car for?  We got a bus that breathes fire...".  de la Peña's evocative, concise prose does a beautiful job capturing the little yet important moments of this urban bus ride that make it special. He bonds with a blind man, and listens to a guitar player performing a song that makes him feeling as if he can soar.  Robinson's collages, created with acrylic paint, are dynamic and colorful, creating a vibrant city landscape that feels both stylized and realistic.  This thoughtful book touches on societal issues in a manner children can understand, making young readers feel that they can make a difference in the world.  A lovely, lovely piece of work.          

Picture Book of the Day: Bow-Wow's Nightmare Neighbors

Bow-Wow's Nightmare Neighbors, by Mark Newgarden and Megan Montague Cash.  This masterfully illustrated and conceived wordless romp has one of my favorite covers (left)...ever.  What is that mysterious creature peeking over Bow-Wow's head?  We see Bow-Wow snoozing on a beloved bed when suddenly some mischievous ghost-like cats sneak through the window, bite the pooch on the tail, and then steal the bed!  Skillfully using comic book style panels, the book then follows the distraught dog as it races to retrieve what has been stolen.  The journey takes a comically scary turn when Bow-Wow has to enter a haunted mansion with mysterious passageways, trap doors, and shifty-eyed paintings.  Newgarden and Cash excel in surrealistic touches like having the ghost cats appear and then disappear, taking on bizarre shapes and popping out to nip the poor titular hero.  Will Bow-Wow ever find the stolen bed?  Packed with comical details that invite re-visits, this is one wild ride...scary but not too scary, and then oddly cozy. 

Picture Book of the Day: Supertruck

Supertruck, written and illustrated by Steve Savage.  This witty, and very preschool-friendly tale would fit in perfectly with story times about trucks, snow/winter, superheroes, and helping others.  Thanks to Savage's crisp graphics and succinct prose (easy to read on the page), young listeners/readers will be hooked from the start.  When we first see Supertruck on the title page, we only see the vehicle's headlights peeking out of a garage.  A flip of the page introduces three colorful brave trucks, and Savage boasts about the great things the bucket truck, fire truck, and tow truck can do.  That little gray bespectacled truck?  Meh, not so special..."he just collects the trash."  In the next few wintry spreads snow covers the ground and traps the aforementioned brave trio.  Who will save them?  In an awesome touch, the garbage truck sneaks into the garage, slips off his glasses, and becomes...SUPERTRUCK!  Kids will join the narrator in cheering for this heroic stranger.  I love the downplayed ending.  2015 is off to a great start!