Published by Anne Schwartz Books

Summary:  “Welcome to Dream Street–the best street in the world!”  As we tour this street, we meet the neighbors, young and old, each one with a story to tell.  Mr. Sidney is a dapper dresser who has vowed never to wear a uniform again after retiring from a career with the post office.  Belle loves butterflies and wants to become a lepidopterist.  The five Phillips boys are all named after jazz musicians and keep their parents busy all day long.  And cousins Ede and Tari love to draw and write, dreaming of someday creating a picture book together.  The children all know that they can become whatever they want but are savoring every bit of their childhood on Dream Street.  Includes a brief note from the author and illustrator and a dedication to their mothers; also a list of the Phillips brothers’ namesakes.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  I did not know that Tricia Elam Walker and Ekua Holmes are cousins until I read this book, which is based on their childhood in Roxbury, Massachusetts (they are Ede and Tari in the book).  The collage art is phenomenal and will undoubtedly receive consideration for both Caldecott and Coretta Scott King recognition.  This would make an excellent mentor text for writing about characters.

Cons:  This came out too late for me to include on my mock Caldecott slideshow.