Reviewer: Jeanette Perkins aka Beeba
The Bus Ride is a short story about a little boy named Freddie and a little girl named Annie who meet on a school bus in New York City. As they share the 22 minute ride to their apartment building, they bond as they share their after school activities. Freddie’s stories are about spending time with his grandmother (Ya-Ya) and Annie’s stories are about playing in a tree house and chalk drawing with her friends.
Ellen Cromwell’s story about growing up in the Bronx may be just the spark you need to relate the stories of your childhood to your grand.
The illustrations by Desiree Sterbini will be loved by adults and older children, but the subdued colors may not catch a preschooler’s attention. The intent of the book is for parents or grandparents to share their memories about their childhood while reading the book with a child. I wish my grandmother had shared some tales of when she was a young girl. Ellen Cromwell’s story about growing up in the Bronx may be just the spark you need to relate the stories of your childhood to your grand.
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About the author:
Ellen Cromwell is the founder of Georgetown Hill Early Schools in Maryland. She believes that every child needs a special book to grow up with – a book that builds upon the memories of yesterday. Ellen has written several children’s books, the latest being The Bus Ride. Remembering many of her experiences as a young child, she has written a timeless story that bonds generations through shared memories.
About the illustrator:
Award winning artist Desiree Sterbini creates vibrant oil pastel painting and color pencil illustrations in her Maryland studio. She is motivated by the words of a childhood teacher who had noticed her extreme shyness and love for art – “If it is hard to speak – draw and paint your words.” Desiree’s art, often inspired by the innocence of childhood and memories of past generations, is held in private and international collections.
About the reviewer:
Jeanette Perkins is the grandmother of two adorable grandsons. She lives in beautiful St Pete Beach, FL. Jeanette is a product reviewer for GRAND and is looking forward to reviewing lots of new and useful products for all us grandparents.
If you have a product for boomer grandparents and or their grandkids, tell us all about it in an email to editor@grandmagazine.com.