Yard Sale by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Lauren Castillo

Yard Sale by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Lauren Castillo. Candlewick, 2015. 32 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8

Recommended For: Ages 4-10

Yard sales: passersby think, “bargains!” while sellers mourn, “my stuff!” Callie’s family is moving to an urban apartment presumably because times are tough; they are having a yard sale to help downsize. In one touching scene, a woman bargains with Callie’s mom to drop the price on a bed because there are marks on it. Callie thinks, I wish I hadn’t put the crayon marks on there. They were to show how many times I had read Goodnight Moon.

Whether a family is having a yard sale because they must down-size or simply want to move some unwanted clutter to a new home, children are likely to sympathize with Callie and her sadness over losing her bike and toys. Thankfully, the story doesn’t end there. Callie recognizes that their stuff wouldn’t fit in their new place but we will fit in our new place. And we are taking us.

A book that addresses an “issue” (downsizing/economic hardship) but will resonate even with those who haven’t experienced it, Yard Sale reminds us that people are more important than things, an attitude we are called to countless times in Scripture. Castillo’s childlike art is a gentle accompaniment to Bunting’s story and will both draw in young readers and reassure them.

Cautions: none

Overall Rating: 4

• Worldview Rating: 4
• Artistic Rating: 4

Categories: Picture Books, Realistic Fiction

cover image from amazon