Last Stop on Market Street
by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson
Interest age: 4 to 6
Reading age: 5+
Published by Puffin, 2017
About this book
CJ makes his way home from church with his grandmother on the bus, but he wishes they had a car, or a bike, or the other expensive things other children have. On the bus, though, his grandmother teaches CJ to appreciate the joy in interacting with their fellow passengers. When they reach their stop at the soup kitchen, CJ wonders at nana’s ability to see the beauty in everyday things, but realises he’s glad they came after all.
Winner of the Newbery Award in the US and a New York Times Bestseller, this wonderful picture book about appreciating the riches that money can’t buy is a timely and timeless reminder for all of us, not just children, that caring, thoughtfulness and community are more important than material wealth.
While the apparently simple flat collage-style illustration frames the story from a child’s eye view, CJ’s journey with his nana explores important themes of inclusion and kindness.
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