A Bus Called Heaven
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5.0 • 1 Rating
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- $7.99
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
“In a story where every turn is possible, if improbable, Graham makes readers believe. High hopes and busy, vibrant artwork . . . will entice children.” — Booklist (starred review) One morning in front of Stella’s house, an abandoned bus appears, looking sad as a whale on a beach. On its front, held up with packing tape, is a hand-painted sign that says Heaven. Right away, the bus brings change to Stella’s street when people stop to talk about it instead of rushing by. “This bus could be ours,” Stella declares. With a master’s eye for finding the magic in the mundane, Bob Graham creates an encouraging story about community — a whimsical tale about neighbors of all ages and stripes coming together, and about one little girl who comes into her own.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
An abandoned, broken-down bus destination "Heaven" unites a community and inspires Stella, the heroine of Graham's uplifting story. "It could be... ours," whispers Stella, a quiet girl "the color of moonlight" who sees only potential for the battered vehicle. Stella's visionary attitude is contagious, and soon all the neighbors are helping clean and decorate the bus, making it into a lovely community hub, complete with table soccer, a fishbowl, and a library of books for everyone to enjoy. Even when city regulations threaten the bus, Stella finds a truly original way to save the day. Graham's ink-and-watercolor scenes capture the small details (overgrown yards, vacant lots, old tires, and refrigerators) of a struggling urban neighborhood eager for a sign of hope. And he effortlessly depicts a slice of city life, in which people of various religions, races, ages, and occupations pull together as one. As Stella shifts from meek to bold, and the bus transforms into a rainbow of color and activity, Graham's artwork grows brighter, too, highlighting the story's transformative message. Ages 3 up.
