Illustrator: Christian Robinson
simple
a Sunday in the inner city
sweet moments
special moments
A grandmother and grandson come out of church and board the city bus this Sunday afternoon, their regular time together. Along the way, CJ asks why questions about things he wishes he could own and about things he wishes were different in his neighborhood. He also sees things as ugly. His wise Nana sees beauty all around her and sees provisions already at hand. As Nana teaches CJ, she hopes he is learning a different and better way to see the world in which they live.
As the cover reveals, the art is bright and bold with simple shapes. It is easy to look upon. Children can understand this story through the pictures alone if they are not yet reading words.
I love this book because it is so personal to the illustrator and the author in their individual ways. It is real. It brings inequality to the forefront yet sets it to the background in order to show that which lasts beyond that which is fleeting. The beauty that Nana sees in the same neighborhood where CJ sees ugliness reminds me that all truly is in the eyes of the beholder. I also love this book because both the author and the illustrator are humble young men as can be seen through their own words:
Christian Robinson, the illustrator said, “Having ‘Last Stop on Market Street’ recognized by the Coretta Scott King, Caldecott and Newbery committees is truly unimaginable. The pictures in this book were inspired by memories of riding the bus with my grandmother, who raised my brother and me, and taught me to count my blessings. Today I feel deeply blessed and humbled to be a part of a book that is inclusive and honors the experience of children who share a similar story. Celebrating this moment with my Nana is the greatest gift.”
Matt de la Peña’s official statement to the AP: “I am humbled beyond words that “Last Stop on Market Street” has been awarded the 2016 Newbery Medal, placing it alongside so many seminal works which have long inspired my path as an author. It’s important to me that Last Stop’s illustrator, Christian Robinson, share in this honor as this is a picture book, and from the very beginning I’ve felt that his wonderful illustrations make this book what it is. I also want to acknowledge what a privilege it is to be the first Latino male author to receive the Newbery Medal. I hope all the brilliant Hispanic writers of the past and present view this as a recognition or our diverse community and that it inspires young Hispanics coming up to read their way through the world and consider a path in the arts.”
Age Range: 3 – 5 years
Awards:
Author
Matt de la Peña ~ This young author is an award-winning writer no matter what age-level book he authors. He is the first Hispanic male author to win the Newbery Medal.
Matt de la Peña received his BA from the University of the Pacific where he attended school on a full basketball scholarship and his MFA in creative writing from San Diego State University (my alma mater, by the way!). Mr. de la Peña currently lives in Brooklyn, NY. He teaches creative writing and visits high schools and colleges throughout the country. You can find him @ Matt de la Peña, on Twitter @mattdelapena
Illustrator
Christian Robinson is an illustrator of picture books. In 2008, he earned a BFA in Character Animation at the California Institute of the Arts. He has worked at both Pixar Studios and Sesame Street Workshop. While living in San Francisco, Christian seems to enjoy keeping a balance….he calls it “blurring the line between work and play.” He used acrylic paints, collage, and a bit of digital manipulation. Mr. Robinson can be found @ The Art of Fun

Book Information:
- Hardcover: 32 pages
- Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (January 8, 2015)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0399257748
- ISBN-13: 978-0399257742
- Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 0.3 x 10.9 inches
I so adore this book too, and sharing it with my students led to some magical and deep discussions. They were thrilled for all the award wins too! Thanks for including some thoughts from Matt and Christian too. Thanks for linking this up with #diversekidlit!
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I find the two men’s stories to be why this book is what it is! So glad you shared about your students too!
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This sounds like a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing at Social Butterfly Sunday.
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It is a fine story!
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I love this so much! I read it with my middle schoolers, and it was such an insightful conversation: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=9081
Thank you for sharing on Diverse Children’s Book Link Up! My link up is: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=7019
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Good! I loved it too as an adult! We can all learn from so many different types of books.
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I love this review! Thanks so much for sharing it with #diversekidlit!
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It is a fine book too! Thanks, Beth, for coming by.
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Thanks for linking up with us at Family Joy Blog Link Up Party this week. So glad you joined the party. I look forward to looking through your blog more.
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Thanks and glad you came by here!
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Oh, I just love the look and sound of this book! I’m so glad you shared this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com this week!
Tina
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Great review, Linda! My son received this book as part of Dolly Parton Imagination Library a few months ago and it was a wonderful read. Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week 🙂
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