Author/illustrator: Lauren Castillo
Genre: realistic fiction
Awards: Caldecott Honor (2015); ALA Notable Children's Book (2015)
Grade level: PK-3
A little boy goes to visit his grandmother (Nana) in the city where she lives, but he is afraid of the city with all the noises and people. He doesn't think this is a good place for his Nana to live. However, that night while he sleeps, his Nana makes him a cape to wear. He puts it on before going out into the city and he is able to be brave and overcome the fears of the place where his Nana lives. He realizes that the city is different, but still a good place to live.
The illustrations in this picturebook are beautiful watercolors that depict the way the young boy views the city, both when he is frightened and when he is able to see the good.
Young students could discuss how the boy's feelings about the city change and why they change. Students can discuss how things that are not familiar can be scary at first and what can be done to allay those fears.
