Going Down Home with Daddy

Description

A 2020 CALDECOTT HONOR BOOK Set at one young boy’s annual family reunion, this Caldecott Honor-winning picture book by Kelly Starling Lyons and Daniel Minter is a rich and moving celebration of Black history, culture, and the power of family traditions. Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year School Library Journal Best Books of the Year Best Children’s Books of the Year ―Bank Street College of Education Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book ―Chicago Public Library ★“A warm, loving, necessary reminder of the power in families coming together.” — Kirkus Reviews , STARRED REVIEW “On reunion morning, we rise before the sun. Daddy hums as he packs our car with suitcases and a cooler full of snacks. He says there’s nothing like going down home.” Down home is Granny’s house. Down home is where Lil Alan and his parents and sister will gather with great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Down home is where Lil Alan will hear stories of the ancestors and visit the land that has meant so much to all of them. And down home is where all of the children will find their special way to pay tribute to their family history. All the kids have to decide what they’ll share, but what will Lil Alan do? Kelly Starling Lyons’ eloquent text explores the power of history and family traditions, and stunning illustrations by Coretta Scott King Honor- and Caldecott Honor-winner Daniel Minter reveal the motion and connections in a large, multi-generational family. Discussion Guide and Teacher’s Guide available. Review: Elegance at its best - The elegant narrative is esquisive. The words roll off my tongue and out like a lullaby, lines such as I watch as we drive from city streets to flowing highways under a sweep of sparkling stars, or I doze off in a cloud of worry and wake to some beams tickling my face. It is lines like these that create a enchantment for the reader. The story is full of family, tradition simple and sweet. Review: An educator's gem - As an educator we are always looking for books that have a great story line but also can relate to several lessons and this book is it. Students have really lost a love of reading and we are trying to find ways to bring it back. This book is filled with descriptive language, students can make predictions, make connections and build background knowledge on history. Thank you Kelly Starling Lyon, this book is a awesome find.