by Rebecca Dunn
I think it’s safe to say that the majority of librarians, educators, and children’s literature enthusiasts were absolutely ecstatic about the recognition received by Last Stop on Market Street, this year’s recipient of the Newbery Medal as well as Caldecott and Coretta Scott King honors. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson is an important story about appreciating the extraordinary in the everyday. Annoyed with the rain and having to go places after church, CJ is on his way to catch the bus with is nana. On their walk to the bus and throughout the bus ride to their destination, CJ’s complaints are countered with gentle and encouraging wisdom from his nana, opening his eyes to the simple beauty in the world around him.
Last Stop on Market Street is a story about gratitude and a reminder to readers of all ages to look on the bright side and appreciate life’s details.
3D Bus Project
As a complimentary activity to reading Last Stop on Market Street, transform recycled items into a 3D bus like the one CJ and his nana ride. This project is a good opportunity to repurpose everyday items you may already have on hand and also promotes storytelling and play long after the project is finished.
Materials
- Recycled box (A shoebox, cracker box, tea box… Whatever you have on hand)
- Construction paper or card stock scraps
- Assortment of small flyers and/or business cards
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Markers
The best way to organize this project with kids is to leave the recycled boxes, paper, assortment of small flyers and business cards, scissors, glue, and markers out on a table and let them create a bus of their own imagination. I especially liked the bus in the story, so I made a replica of CJ and nana’s bus.
My 5-year-old collects (read: hoards) small flyers and business cards, so we always have a collection of these items on hand, which served as fun side-of-the-bus advertisements.
Vroom vroom…. “Last stop on Market Street!” Like the theme of the story, this simple project provides an opportunity for children to explore the ordinary in a new way. You don’t need much to allow your imagination to soar.
Want More?
If you’ve been inspired by Rebecca’s projects or have used her storytime plans at your library, we’d love to hear about it! Share your experience in the comments or on social media!
- For more activities and art projects check out the Pages to Projects Pinterst board.
- Don’t miss previous Pages to Projects blog posts!
- You can connect with Rebecca on Twitter @rebeccazdunn
Rebecca Zarazan Dunn is a children’s librarian and a 2013 Library Journal Mover & Shaker. When she’s not having fun at the library or wrangling her own kiddos, she can be found at her blog home, Sturdy for Common Things.
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