Hello, Mister Blue

Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3

A day in the park sparks an unlikely connection between a young girl and a street musician without a home. From acclaimed author-illustrator Daria Peoples, Hello, Mister Blue is a powerful picture book that emphasizes the importance of history, bravery, and forming connections. Hello, Mister Blue is for readers who love Yuyi Morales’s Dreamers and Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson’s Last Stop on Market Street. 

A young girl always creates special memories when she visits her grandfather. He lets her sip his creamy coffee, they take a stroll through the park, and they play music together. But this time, something unexpected happens: she meets Papa’s longtime friend, Mister Blue.Mister Blue lives outside, and he and his music have always brought Papa’s community together. At the end of the day, the young girl has many questions for Papa. Is Mister Blue safe? Scared? Lonely, hungry? With her curiosity and kindness, she can change things for the better for at least one person and one night.Featuring a lyrical text, stunning illustrations, and a resonant message, Hello, Mister Blue presents a difficult, universal topic with sensitivity and warmth for the youngest of readers. Every person belongs to a community, and generosity can make a difference for everyone. Hello, Mister Blue is a terrific pick for readers of Oge Mora’s Saturday and Vera B. Williams’s A Chair for My Mother.

About the Author

Daria Peoples grew up in Paso Robles, California, and is the daughter of a children’s librarian. She and her two younger brothers grew up on gumbo and red beans and rice in a household rich with culture. She has a degree in English from UC Santa Barbara. Daria Peoples earned her master's in education from Regis University and worked for ten years as a middle school teacher. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is the author-illustrator of This is It; I Got Next; and America, My Love, America, My Heart.