John Schu and Lauren Castillo share This Is a Story, inviting us to imagine the myriad ways that books can foster connection and understanding--and how they can empower children, through their own passions, to transform the world.

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION: This Is a Story by John Schu; illustrated by Lauren Castillo

Page Length: 40 pages

Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3

Children's literacy advocate John Schu and Caldecott Honor recipient Lauren Castillo celebrate the power of finding the perfect book--in a story that's more relevant than ever.

This is a word on a page.

This is a page in a book.

This is a book on a shelf . . . waiting.

With a sea-horse kite in hand, a child heads out with Dad to the library. On the way they stop at a park, joining lots of people, some of whom are flying kites, too. At the library, a person toting a big pile of books hands over a story on a favorite subject: the sea horse. All around, there are readers poring over books, each with their own questions, ideas to explore, hopes for the future, and imaginations ready to spark. With a warm, lyrical text and tenderly expressive illustrations, John Schu and Lauren Castillo invite us to imagine the myriad ways that books can foster connection and understanding--and how they can empower children, through their own passions, to transform the world.

 

NOTABLE QUOTES:

(7:44) “[Finding that just-right book] feels very soothing and it makes me think of the books that are the ones that I return to over and over again. Those are like comfort objects to me.”

(8:30) “A book often walks into our life when we need it the most.”

(8:45) “We know that books can make our hearts grow. They can make our hearts change. And they can make our hearts more compassionate.”

(12:11) “And right away we see [that] the way that I define story is probably different from how you define story, Matthew. And how you define story, Matthew, is probably different from how Lauren defines story, so I love how everyone has their own personal definition of what the word story means.”

(13:39) “Reading can be a workout for your heart, and reading can be a workout for your imagination.” 

(14:23) “I feel that I am a better person because of all of the kids who I've met around the world.”

(15:15) “Cities are the places I like to call home. And that's because I love to be surrounded by diversity and experience different cultures and different types of people. And when I illustrate, I always want the art to be representative of the many types of people in our communities.”

(17:52) “Sometimes humans need help connecting.”

(24:07) “Is there a book that feels like a best friend to you?”

(24:33) “Don't be shy to ask your librarian or your teacher or your friends for suggestions if you're having a hard time finding books that you love. Because I know that, you know, for me as a kid sometimes it was hard for me to find those books that I loved without help. And so I would, I would urge you to, to reach out and ask for help because they're, those books are out there and they're waiting for you to find them.” 

 

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

• John Schu Website - MrSchuReads 

• Lauren Castillo Website - laurencastillo.com.

• Purchas