Down on the Winding Road

by Angela Johnson, Shane W. Evans (Illustrator)

An eloquent tribute to people who matter, the Old Ones who "talk about this time, and that time, and they sure had a good time..".

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2000

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Angela Johnson is the author of the Coretta Scott King Honor picture book When I Am Old with You; as well as A Sweet Smell of Roses, illustrated by Eric Velasquez; Just Like Josh Gibson, illustrated by Beth Peck; and I Dream of Trains, which was also illustrated by Loren Long. She has won three Coretta Scott King Awards, one each for her novels Heaven, Toning the Sweep, and The First Part Last. In recognition of her outstanding talent, Angela was named a 2003 MacArthur Fellow. She lives in Kent, Ohio.

Reviews

[Sheniqua · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books talks about a life in the country as compared to the city. I would use this story to teach a lesson about geography and ask the students to list the places they love. I would also have them talk about the physical characteristics of the places they love, such as the bright green grass or salt water and discuss the ways their favorite places are alike and different.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice quiet book. Features a non-nuclear family structure, POC.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely story of a happy visit to older relatives in the country, filled with reminiscences and warm loving embraces.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angela Johnson seems to writing about a visit to older relatives that live in the country not unlike something that Cynthia Rylant, Joanne Ryder, or Patricia MacLachlan would write. I really like it and believe that it could be used to inspire some memoir-style writing from kids if it were introduced in the right way.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

All about the old folks in the family. As an only child who grew up amongst great-aunts and great-uncles and grandparents, this one really spoke to me.

[Rachel Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK SHOWS THAT THE OLD ONE CAN STILL MAKE THINGS FUN FOR THE KIDS WITHOUT ALL THE COMPUTER GAMES AND STUFF WE HAVE TODAY. THE SIMPLE THINGS CAN BE THE MOST FUN. I REMEMBER!!!!!