Granddaddy's Street Songs (Jump at the Sun Books) [Hardcover]

Monalisa De Gross (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up | Series: Jump at the Sun Books

Roddy loves to bring out the old family photo album and listen to Granddaddy tell stories about his long-ago days as an "arabber", a fruit and vegetable vendor. With his horse-drawn wagon laden with the freshest produce, Granddaddy would ride down the cobblestone streets and narrow brick alleys of Baltimore, singing out his special calls to customers. Singing along with Granddaddy makes Roddy almost feel like he's an arabber, too, as if those long-ago days have come alive.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-Roddy loves to listen to his grandfather's tales of "long ago, when things weren't like they are today," and nothing gets Granddaddy going better than the photo album containing "fuzzy black-and-white pictures" from "the summer of nineteen hundred and fifty-five" when he spent his days "arabbin'." An endnote tells readers that "ay-rab" was a term used in Baltimore to describe African-American vendors who traveled the city selling fresh fruit and vegetables from horse-drawn wagons. Each vendor had his own particular call and developed a special gimmick or style to attract customers. Peeler, who wore "funny-looking pants," was well liked, but the best was Granddaddy himself, whose oversized, patchwork umbrella and call of "If you like what you hear/Then you'll love what you see./Peaches, peaches, yes sirree," let everyone know he was coming down the street. Cooper's brightly colored yet softly muted pastels are a perfect mix of Roddy's youthful affection and Granddaddy's tender nostalgia. While the regional appeal of this story shouldn't be overlooked, the universal charm of these two characters can't be denied.
Alicia Eames, New York City Public Schools
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

"Granddaddy," Roddy says, "tell me a story." Before Granddaddy can get started, though, Roddy runs to get what they need for "a good, long story": the family photo album. The pictures it contains are black and white, but Granddaddy's words bring vibrant color to his memories of the long ago days when he was an "arabber," a street vendor who sold only the "crispest, freshest and ripest produce" from his horse-drawn wagon. DeGross' sweetly nostalgic family story is rooted in fact. According to an appended note, African American street vendors were once a fixture of Baltimore streets, and many, like Granddaddy, developed individual calls--or street songs--to "advertise" their wares. Cooper's softly colored pictures capture the look and spirit of the past that still exists in the emotional bond it has forged between Roddy and his beloved arabber Granddaddy. Michael Cart

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Jump At The Sun; 1st edition (February 28, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786801603
• ISBN-13: 978-0786801602
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,024,951 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Granddaddyy's Street Songs, June 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Granddaddy's Street Songs (Jump at the Sun Books) (Hardcover)

This is a pleasant book about an African American grandfather, who tells his grandson about his work in the 1950s as an arabber, a produce street vendor in Baltimore. The grandfather tells his son about his bright umbrella that was his special trademark and sings the songs that he once sang to advertise his produce. My grandmother, who was raised in Baltimore and can remember arabbers in singing in her neighborhood, enjoyed this short book which brought back many memories. Granddaddy's Street Songs is a good children's book. It has beautifully drawn pictures and is short enough to be read to a three-year-old yet suitable also for an older child. Children will enjoy the songs about strawberries, corn, and other fruits and vegetables.