A Letter for Bob
What’s inside...
With humor and heart, and brought to life by Jonathan Nelson’s warm, distinctive artwork, Kim Rogers’s A Letter for Bob celebrates the treasured cars that carry us through our most meaningful childhood moments. Ever since the day Mom and Dad brought Bob home from the car dealership, Bob has been a part of Katie’s family. Bob has taken them all over, from powwows to vacations to time spent with faraway family. Bob has been there in sad and scary times and for some of the family’s most treasured memories. But after many miles, it’s time for the family to say goodbye to Bob. This humorous and tender story about a beloved family car—and all the stories and love carried along for the ride—will appeal to every kid whose family has owned a special car! Kim Rogers is the author of Just Like Grandma, illustrated by Julie Flett, which received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist, which called it “a joyous, uplifting celebration of culture and family.”
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the letter change Bob’s feelings and why do you think it was important?
If you were Bob, how would you react to receiving a similar letter?
What does this story teach us about communication and expressing our feelings?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone feel better? What did you do?
Why is it important to let friends know we care about them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressions and voice modulation to mimic the emotions in the story, making the reading session lively and engaging.
Ask your child to relate the events in the book to their personal experiences to deepen their connection to the story.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or write a reply letter from Bob, fostering creativity and empathy.
Pause at key moments in the story to allow your child to guess what might happen next, enhancing their predictive skills.
Discuss the importance of kindness and thoughtfulness, reinforcing the moral lessons of the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: In 'A Letter for Bob', the characters demonstrate the value of friendships through their caring and supportive interactions, showing how friends can help each other in times of need.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value and nurture their friendships, understanding that being a good friend involves kindness, support, and empathy.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the Face of Challenges
Explanation: The story showcases how Bob faces difficulties but perseveres with determination and courage, teaching children that obstacles can be overcome with persistence.
Real-World Application: This lesson prepares children to manage their own challenges in life, encouraging them to keep trying and not be discouraged by setbacks.
Example Lesson: Expressing Emotions
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters openly express their feelings, demonstrating the importance of communicating emotions in a healthy way.
Real-World Application: Children learn that it is okay to express how they feel, whether they are happy, sad, or scared, and that sharing emotions is part of healthy emotional development.
Example Lesson: The Joy of Helping Others
Explanation: Bob's acts of kindness in helping his friends solve problems highlights the happiness that can come from helping others.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be proactive in assisting others, fostering a sense of community and empathy in their everyday interactions.
Example Lesson: Understanding Different Perspectives
Explanation: As the characters interact, they learn from each other’s viewpoints, promoting an understanding that everyone has unique thoughts and feelings.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of listening to and respecting different opinions, which can help them in diverse social settings.