Last Stop on Market Street (book)

I begin with a feeling, a splash of bright yellow and the gentle weight in your hands. I don't speak out loud, but if you listen closely, you can hear the rumble of a bus and the friendly chatter of people on their way somewhere. My pages are filled with colorful shapes and kind faces, showing a busy city that feels like a warm hug. I am a journey wrapped in a cover, a special trip that begins the moment you turn my first page. I am the book, 'Last Stop on Market Street.' I was made to help you see that the world is full of wonderful things, even in places you might not expect.

Two wonderful people brought me to life. A writer named Matt de la Peña chose my words carefully. He wanted to tell a story about a boy named CJ and his wise grandmother, Nana. He imagined them riding a bus through the city, with CJ asking questions and Nana showing him the beauty all around them. He remembered riding the bus as a boy and wanted to share how it felt. Then, an artist named Christian Robinson used bright paint and cut-paper collage to create my pictures. He made the city look cheerful and full of life, with all kinds of different people living together. On January 8th, 2015, their words and pictures came together, and I was ready for the world. My story follows CJ and Nana on their weekly bus ride after church, where Nana teaches him to find wonder in the everyday world, like the music of the rain or the kindness of strangers.

I was made to be shared. When children and their families open my pages, they hop on the bus with CJ and Nana. They meet a man with a guitar who makes the whole bus tap their feet, and they see a rainbow in a puddle on the street. CJ learns that even though they don't have a car, their bus ride is an adventure filled with music, new friends, and amazing sights. My journey ends at a special place, a soup kitchen, where CJ and Nana help serve food to people in their community. This is my last stop, and it shows that the most beautiful thing of all is helping others and being together. It is a place where everyone feels welcome and cared for.

Soon after I was created, people noticed the special message in my story. I was given some very important awards, like the Newbery Medal for my words and a Caldecott Honor for my pictures. It was a big deal, because it meant a lot of people thought my story was important. But my most important job is to travel into the hands of readers like you. I am here to remind you that beauty isn't just in fancy things; it's everywhere. It's in the rhythm of the rain, the kindness of a neighbor, and the joy of sharing. I hope that after you finish my last page, you’ll look around your own world and find something beautiful, too.