Ringgold, F (1999). If A Bus Could Talk. New York, N Y: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN:  0-689-81892-0.

Marcie boards a strange bus one morning on her way to school when she realizes the bus is talking to her and it was part of civil rights history.  This cleverly written book describes and presents Rosa Parks life from childhood to her adult life.

The colorful illustrations are done in acrylic on canvas paper.

Curriculum Use:

Biography 

Civil Right Movement 

Black History Month

Personification

In the book If a Bus Could Talk, the main character, Marcia boards a bus that she thinks is taking her to school.  Instead, the bus begins to talk to her and tell her about the life of Rosa Parks. Here is an example of personification from the book.

“This is a special bus, Marcie, and you are sitting in a special seat reserved for a very special person.  This used to be the Cleveland Avenue bus, but now it’s the Rosa Parks bus.  She is the patron saint of the Civil Rights movement.  One day a year we reserve that seat in her name.  Take another seat and I will tell you all about her.”  Page 6

*****Top Ten Rated Book

Rating:  5Q/5P

MWood