The Last Last
The Last Last by Wendy J. Whittingham, published by Groundwood Books on September 2, 2025, is a children’s book that captures the poignant moments of a young girl’s last day on her island home in Jamaica before immigrating to Canada with her family. As Mum and Grannie hurriedly pack their belongings, the girl reflects on her surroundings, savoring the taste of sugar cane and the aroma of roast corn, while contemplating the significance of leaving her cherished home.
This story follows her journey as she arrives in Toronto, where the towering buildings and bustling streets present a new world. The narrative explores themes of family life and the emotional complexities of growing up, emphasizing the balance between holding onto memories of the past and embracing new experiences. Illustrated by Caribbean artist Brianna McCarthy, The Last Last invites readers to explore the idea of making new memories while cherishing the beauty of their first home. With 32 pages, this edition is designed to engage young readers through its vivid illustrations and relatable themes.
Official synopsis Publisher
Mum and Grannie rush about and pack our things … but I don’t want to leave our island home!
The girl in this story is immigrating with her family from Jamaica to Canada. On this last day before they leave, she chews one last sugar cane stalk, and inhales the sweet smell of roast corn one last time. She takes one last walk to the beach and paddles in the ocean. Can this really be the last time she will see her home?
When their plane lands in Toronto, big buildings tower above their taxi. She, Mum and Grannie make their way through the busy streets to get to their new home. As the girl heads indoors, she hears an odd cry from a big, stripy blue bird. A blue jay, Grannie tells her. Could this be her very first first?
Inspired by Wendy J. Whittingham’s childhood in Jamaica, and boldly brought to life by Caribbean artist Brianna McCarthy, The Last Last explores the idea that it’s possible to make new memories while still carrying beautiful memories of your first home in your heart.
Key Text Features
Illustrations
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.1
With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3
With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.6
With prompting and support, name the author and illustrator of a story and define the role of each in telling the story.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7
With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2
Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3
Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.
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