A gorgeous book with a gorgeous story--thanks to the amazing Nikki Grimes. Truly, she captures the sadness of a boy leaving home (his home of NYC) and his move to New Mexico. At first it seems like brown and drab.

But there is color to be found. You just have to look for it! It's in the flowers and in the birds. It's in the landscape.

I can see it and be there myself, just how you should with a picture book! ( )

This story is about a yound boy who is being moved to New Mexico to live there and he has never been there before. The book takes the reader through different types of scenarios and eventually he becocmes comfortable in his new home. This book could just be used for free reading purposes in the classroom when the student is done with their work, but I also think that this book would be good for a student that maybe be new to the state and/or country and maybe it will help them become more comfortable. ( )

Nikki Grimes uses beautiful imagery in her book Southwest Sunrise to illustrate Jayden's apprehension about moving from New York City to New Mexico. Jayden's apprehension soon turns to wonder as he starts to explore the nature he's surrounded by. With its sprawling canyons, clear skies, and skyscrapers made of red rock pillars, Jayden welcomes the possibility of a new home in New Mexico. Written in prose, Grimes manages to capture that feeling of miraculous discovery on every page. ( )

A little boy moves with his family to New Mexico from New York City, and starts out sad and resentful, asking:

“Why are we here? What’s so great about New Mexico?”

In subsequent pages he slowly finds out, gaining an appreciation for the odd biota of the region. He even discovers new colors that he has never seen in the city. About the endless vistas he asks:

“Where was all this sky in New York City? Was it hiding?”

And New Mexico may not have skyscrapers, but it has its own towers made of stone.

By the end of the story the boy concludes: “Maybe I can think about calling this place Home.”

Illustrations by Wendell Minor cleverly contrast the riot of colors in the Southwest with the limited palette afforded by the endless buildings in New York City.

Evaluation: I could totally relate to this boy, because his reactions replicate mine when we moved from the city to the desert in Arizona. Sometimes, in spite of low expectations, reality can surprise you, and you can gain a new appreciation for all the wonderful new horizons change can bring. This book for readers 4-6 is a great way to teach kids that opening your eyes and your heart will let in all kinds of goodness. ( )