Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson

This one. I think it won every award there is. I try to read as many of the picture books on the big honor lists as I can, and they almost always thrill me, but they don’t necessarily make my greatest loves list. Books can be exquisite without capturing my heart. But this one does, utterly. I bought it for Christian Robinson’s art—love everything he does—but Matt de la Pena’s writing knocks me out too.

Last Stop on Market Street begins on the steps of an urban church. You’re there, I’m there. (I’m the redhead in the grey rain slicker, who are you?) In Christian Robinson’s brilliantly designed painted collages you can see the edges of the paper cut and a tiny bit of shadow underneath. I love whatever winged creatures are in the blue jar the lady with the cheerful headscarf and mismatched stockings is holding so dearly. I love the way the city backdrops are rendered—that color palette!

And I love when CJ and the spotted dog share a moment of contentment verging on bliss, and then turn the page for a spread that literally sings to you in the art and the words.

Image from illustrator Christian Robinson’s website https://www.theartoffun.com/

“The outside air smelled like freedom,

but it also smelled like rain,

which freckled Cj’s shirt and dripped down his nose.”

I read this book over and over again and always find some new delight. It has a beautiful quiet way about it—there are no heroics or great revelations here, and the (perfect) ending isn’t all tied up with a bow. Instead CJ is a relatable child in a place he knows well. He is not on a grand adventure—the opposite, really. This is an ordinary day, but through kindness, good questions, imagination and transportive music, the familiar activities of this ordinary day are quietly, beautifully profound.