A Letter for Bob

PreS-Gr 3--This is a letter to Bob, a family car, from a girl who feels that the car is part of her family, tying together events from their family history. She talks about seminal events in her family's time line: trips that they took together, like to the Wichita Annual Dance, where Katie danced in the Tiny Tots division, and an epic trip to Yellowstone. There are also less monumental events, like when things were dropped or spilled, as well as ordinary things like going to the dog park or to friends' houses. Bob the car carried the family safely to all of these things. Eventually, the family has to say goodbye to Bob, but not without some sadness at the parting. The artwork shows all the happy memories, using color to help readers understand the emotions at all the different events that the family has shared. The outings are common enough to help readers make connections to Katie as well as the family trips and gatherings, but specific enough so that modern Indigenous culture is allowed to shine through. VERDICT This would be a good choice for libraries needing mentor texts on family history or books showcasing modern Indigenous culture.--Debbie Tanner

I adore this book with a completeness I didn't anticipate. I'll be sharing it at every workshop I do, with librarians, educators, teacher-educators... everyone. — Dr. Debbie Reese, American Indians in Children's Literature