Welcome to Bobville

City of Bobs

Illustrated by Bob Staake
Here's a timely, hilarious picture book, with Seussian appeal! In Bobville, everyone is named...yup, Bob...and everything is exactly the same--until one Bob decides he'd like to be a Bruce.

Welcome to Bobville, home to people only named Bob! In Bobville, the Bobs eat the same food, wear the same clothes, watch the same movies, and have the same hobbies. They agree on everything-- ESPECIALLY that they don't like anyone who isn't named Bob. The Bobs go about their Bob ways, until one day, to the surprise of the entire city, one resident decides he wants to do things a little differently, and live as Bruce. In response, the Bobs build a wall to keep Bruce, and anyone else who dares to be different, out of the city. But Bruce doesn't mind-- it turns out the diverse world outside of Bobville is actually very beautiful. In this timely picture book, bestselling author Jonah Winter and acclaimed illustrator Bob Staake explore how exclusion and walls breed intolerance, and how being different and open-minded enriches our lives and the world.
Jonah Winter is the award-winning author of more than forty nonfiction picture books that promote environmental awareness and social and racial justice. Among them are Here Comes the Garbage Barge!; Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of R.B.G. vs. Inequality; My Name is James Madison Hemings; Barack; The Founding Fathers!; and Lillian’s Right to Vote, a Jane Addams Children’s Book Award recipient and Kirkus Prize finalist. View titles by Jonah Winter
Bob Staake's 2006 Golden Book The Red Lemon was a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year. His 2008 Golden Book The Donut Chef received glowing reviews from The Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly. In addition to his work with Random House, Bob's titles include Mary Had a Little Lamp (Bloomsbury), Look! A Book! (Little Brown), and Cars, Galore (Candlewick). Outside of his work in children's publishing, Bob's illustrations have also been seen on several popular New Yorker covers, including the 11/17/08 "Reflection" cover that is officially the most popular New Yorker cover of all time. In 2008, Bob was the recipient of Time magazine's 2008 Best Magazine Cover award. View titles by Bob Staake
Praise for Welcome To Bobville:

“A fun lesson with a not-so subtle message that promotes pushing boundaries and embracing differences.” —Booklist, Starred Review

“A clever look at tolerance and understanding.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A reminder of the importance of independent thinking and the joy of being different wrapped in a silly yet empowering tale.” —The Horn Book

“There are lots of books lately about celebrating differences and condemning intolerance. This title is a carefree addition to the canon that is simply a celebration of how silly it would be for us all to be the same.” —School Library Journal

Praise for Jonah Winter's Thurgood: 

"Winter and Collier have created a catalyst that will inspire readers to learn more about this giant of American history." —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

 “A memorable portrait of a legal giant.” —Booklist, Starred Review

“Informative, inspiring, and exciting. . . . A fervent celebration of a man whose work improved the lives of millions of Americans.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review

“A resounding winner.” —Shelf Awareness, Starred Review

Praise for Bob Staake's Bluebird: 

"Staake works out an impressive range of emotion... Without use of a single word, this book raises all kinds of simple profundities for kids to question, ponder, imagine, and discuss." —Booklist, Starred Review

“…believers and skeptics alike will find something deeply impressive and moving in this work of a singular, fully committed talent.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“Like nothing you have seen before.” —Kirkus Review, Starred Review

About

Here's a timely, hilarious picture book, with Seussian appeal! In Bobville, everyone is named...yup, Bob...and everything is exactly the same--until one Bob decides he'd like to be a Bruce.

Welcome to Bobville, home to people only named Bob! In Bobville, the Bobs eat the same food, wear the same clothes, watch the same movies, and have the same hobbies. They agree on everything-- ESPECIALLY that they don't like anyone who isn't named Bob. The Bobs go about their Bob ways, until one day, to the surprise of the entire city, one resident decides he wants to do things a little differently, and live as Bruce. In response, the Bobs build a wall to keep Bruce, and anyone else who dares to be different, out of the city. But Bruce doesn't mind-- it turns out the diverse world outside of Bobville is actually very beautiful. In this timely picture book, bestselling author Jonah Winter and acclaimed illustrator Bob Staake explore how exclusion and walls breed intolerance, and how being different and open-minded enriches our lives and the world.

Author

Jonah Winter is the award-winning author of more than forty nonfiction picture books that promote environmental awareness and social and racial justice. Among them are Here Comes the Garbage Barge!; Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of R.B.G. vs. Inequality; My Name is James Madison Hemings; Barack; The Founding Fathers!; and Lillian’s Right to Vote, a Jane Addams Children’s Book Award recipient and Kirkus Prize finalist. View titles by Jonah Winter
Bob Staake's 2006 Golden Book The Red Lemon was a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year. His 2008 Golden Book The Donut Chef received glowing reviews from The Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly. In addition to his work with Random House, Bob's titles include Mary Had a Little Lamp (Bloomsbury), Look! A Book! (Little Brown), and Cars, Galore (Candlewick). Outside of his work in children's publishing, Bob's illustrations have also been seen on several popular New Yorker covers, including the 11/17/08 "Reflection" cover that is officially the most popular New Yorker cover of all time. In 2008, Bob was the recipient of Time magazine's 2008 Best Magazine Cover award. View titles by Bob Staake

Praise

Praise for Welcome To Bobville:

“A fun lesson with a not-so subtle message that promotes pushing boundaries and embracing differences.” —Booklist, Starred Review

“A clever look at tolerance and understanding.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A reminder of the importance of independent thinking and the joy of being different wrapped in a silly yet empowering tale.” —The Horn Book

“There are lots of books lately about celebrating differences and condemning intolerance. This title is a carefree addition to the canon that is simply a celebration of how silly it would be for us all to be the same.” —School Library Journal

Praise for Jonah Winter's Thurgood: 

"Winter and Collier have created a catalyst that will inspire readers to learn more about this giant of American history." —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

 “A memorable portrait of a legal giant.” —Booklist, Starred Review

“Informative, inspiring, and exciting. . . . A fervent celebration of a man whose work improved the lives of millions of Americans.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review

“A resounding winner.” —Shelf Awareness, Starred Review

Praise for Bob Staake's Bluebird: 

"Staake works out an impressive range of emotion... Without use of a single word, this book raises all kinds of simple profundities for kids to question, ponder, imagine, and discuss." —Booklist, Starred Review

“…believers and skeptics alike will find something deeply impressive and moving in this work of a singular, fully committed talent.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“Like nothing you have seen before.” —Kirkus Review, Starred Review

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