Last Stop on Market Street

De la Pena, M. ( 2015). Last Stop on Market Street. New York, NY: Penguin.

CJ and his grandma, Nana, are making their trip to the soup kitchen where they  volunteer every Sunday. Along the way, CJ asks his grandma question after question, like kids often do,  in which she always has a quick and witty response for him.  As they travel on the bus to the soup kitchen,  CJ complains that they have to ride the bus, they have to go to the soup kitchen while his friends get to play, and that the city is dirty.  Nana replies that he is lucky to meet new people, experience the joy of live music , and to look for  beauty all around you.   In the end, CJ is glad he has come once again to see his friends at the soup kitchen.

Here is a story that teaches you to always look at the bright side, find beauty where ever you go, and to celebrate life.  CJ's grandma finds joy in the little things in life, like music, friends, and volunteering in your community.  The characters and illustrations in the book shows the rich diversity found in urban communities, from the blind and disabled, to people of all colors, shapes, and walks of life.   A book that will teach you that in life, you don't need material things to make you happy.  Happiness can be found in the experiences all around you.