Publisher Description

Moving can be scary, but by the end of his first day at his new school, Roy is happy to find a piece of his old home, Jamaica, in his new home. The first day at a new school is nerve-wracking enough, never mind when it's in a new country! In this lively picture book from award-winning storyteller Itah Sadu, Roy realizes he may come to love his new home as much as he loves his old home. Written as an email to a friend back home, this picture book tells the story of Roy, whose family has just moved to North America from Jamaica. His new home is different from his old home - even the sun feels cold! His nerves ease, though, as welcome reminders of home follow him through his day. His neighbor gives him a button as a gift for his first day of school. The principal tells him about the soccer team and his new class makes him feel welcome. Everything is looking up until Roy goes to show his classmates his new button and he can't find it! He rushes back to the principal's office where they look up and down and all around for the button. Thanks to his powers of observation, Roy finds it in an unexpected place and is able to show it to his new friends. The friendly people he meets, and their shared love of Bob Marley, make for a good start at his new school. Sadu captures the voice of a young boy in a new country in this story about finding a new home while still staying proud of where you're from. Harlem-based artist Alix Delinois shows the joy of making new friends with his vibrant, layered paintings.Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3
Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.5
Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.

Author Biography

An award-winning author, storyteller and owner of Toronto bookstore A Different Booklist, Itah Sadu shares the rich oral traditions of the Caribbean, Africa and North America with students and teachers. Her previous books include Christopher Changes His Name and Please Clean Up Your Room!, both illustrated by Roy Condy. She has developed several youth programs, including the Walk for Excellence, a partnership with York University and the Jane and Finch community that celebrates graduating high school students. She is also a founding member of the Emancipation Day Underground Freedom Train Ride, MY People Literary Awards, and the Black and Carribean Book Affair.

Alix Delinois is a fine artist and art teacher living in Harlem, New York. He was born in Saint Marc, Haiti, and moved to Harlem as a child. He has illustrated three children's books written by award-winning authors Walter Dean Myers, Edwidge Danticat and Gretchen Woelfle. This is his fourth picture book.

Review

A much-needed window and mirror of immigrant experience for young readers. * Kirkus Reviews *
Bright acrylic and mixed-media illustrations further establish the upbeat tone in this story about finding comforting touchstones in a new home. * Booklist *
The bold, warm, and expressive illustrations add depth to the text. * School Library Journal *
Sadu … treats a nerve-wracking time of transition for any child with honesty and understanding. * Quill & Quire *

Review Text

A much-needed window and mirror of immigrant experience for young readers.

Review Quote

Praise for Greetings, Leroy "A much-needed window and mirror of immigrant experience for young readers." -- Kirkus Reviews "Bright acrylic and mixed-media illustrations further establish the upbeat tone in this story about finding comforting touchstones in a new home." -- Booklist Praise for Please Clean Up Your Room! by Itah Sadu: "Itah Sadu tells her stories with energy and humour and a thorough understanding of her audience." -- The Toronto Star About Christopher Changes His Name by Itah Sadu: "Children will find delight in both the words and pictures of this charming tale." -- School Library Journal Praise for Eight Days , illustrated by Alix Delinois: "Using rich acrylics and thick brushwork, Delinois (Haiti-born, like the author) creates active, emotionally charged playscapes from which the narrator often looks up gravely, making steady eye contact with viewers as if to say: I am strong enough for this." -- Kirkus, starred review

Details