When the whole neighborhood is still asleep, the paperboy is in the garage, rolling papers and filling his red bag to the top. With his faithful dog at his side, the paperboy sets off in a mood of contentedness and confidence.
The daily routine of a paperboy is succinctly told in this Caldecott award winning story. Children will love the inside glimpse of what having a job is like, especially as told from a child's perspective. The book is the appropriate-length to both hold the attention of preschoolers as well as cover the many responsibilities of a paperboy, including waking up before the sun, folding the newspapers and riding a bike along the route to deliver the papers. The ever-changing sky helps readers keep track of time as morning edges closer and the young boy returns home to go back to sleep. The story also touches on the special bond between a boy and his dog, as the puppy accompanies him in every scene, from eating breakfast to delivering papers.
Children may have questions about having a job, which can help turn the story into a learning experience. With such a peaceful portrayal of the quiet morning, your child may be interested in a field trip at some point to see the calm pre-dawn hour for themselves.
With such a relaxing theme, this is a great bedtime story. As the boy quietly prepares for his job and travels through the still-sleeping town, it almost makes you want to read the story in a whisper so that you don't disturb the peaceful setting. I read this story to Emily, the three-year-old I regularly babysit, and she loved watching the sky change colors as well as the soothing tone to the story.
--Abby