Every Sunday, CJ and his nana board the public bus to travel across town. During the ride, CJ questions why they do not own a car or why he lacks the mobile devices his peers use. Nana answers each complaint by redirection, pointing toward the musicians, commuters, and street life surrounding them. Their destination is a soup kitchen where they serve meals to their neighbors. The narrative focuses on these specific observations of urban life, from the sound of a guitar to the reflection of sunlight in rain puddles.
This book serves families and educators seeking to discuss socioeconomic differences and gratitude with young children. Readers see a protagonist transition from feelings of envy to an appreciation for his own environment. The story provides a framework for recognizing beauty in neighborhoods that are often overlooked or undervalued. By the end, a child understands that finding abundance does not require material wealth, but rather a shift in how one observes the people and places in their local community.
- Published
- 2015
- Language
- EN
