"I won't never forget that September time when I didn't want to go to school and Big Papa came in his time machine to take us way, way back." Big Papa's time machine is his car, which not only serves as the means for getting the young Black boy to school, but also becomes a vehicle for his grandfather to share stories from his own past about times he was afraid and faced his own fears. The stories Big Papa recounts, touching on African American history in his lifetime, come alive through both the conversational narrative and the sketchy, stylized illustrations showing scenes from the past beside more detailed pictures showing the grandfather and grandson riding in the car. The distinctive voice also serves to show the closeness of the relationship between the two -clearly this is a child who has enjoyed many family stories told by Big Papa as he imparts a lifetime of experience and wisdom. (Ages 5-8)