A Letter for Bob by Kim Rogers (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: A Letter for Bob by Kim Rogers Natalie Berglind Rogers, Kim A Letter for Bob; illus. by Jonathan Nelson. Heartdrum/Harper-Collins, 2023 [32p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780063044555 $19.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 4-7 yrs "Dear Bob," begins our young Indigenous narrator as they address a letter to the family car. They regale the white sedan's history, starting with its purchase when the narrator is just a baby, and then onto its family road trips with dance regalia stored in its trunk and the day-to-day shlepping of the kids for their sport events and the Oklahoma State Fair. After listing off the many memories shared with Bob (with a few apologies for various pizza- and post-powwow vomit-related stains), the narrator reveals the reason for their nostalgia—today is the day the family trades Bob in for a new car to accommodate the space needed for the new baby in their life. With a sentimentality often reserved for picture books about stuffed animals, Rogers deftly conveys the bittersweet but necessary parting with something that has been a staple of a kid's entire life. Vibrant digital art features characters with oversized heads and huge, welcoming smiles that beam with joy, while warms tones and pastoral scenes provide a gentle sense of comfort and safety. Give this to a kid who has a strong attachment to the family car so they can appreciate the many experiences shared with it. An author's note about Roger's childhood car is included, as well as a glossary with Native words used in the text and a list of current tribal locations of the Wichita and Cherokee people. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois