I Want to Ride the Tap Tap

A day-of-the-week picture book about a young boy and his parents who ride the taxi-bus service - called a tap tap - in Haiti, and the fascinating people they meet along the way, illustrated by a Haitian artist known for his vibrant street art.

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On Monday through Saturday, Claude and Mama walk Papa to the tap tap. Along the way Claude encounters a lady selling mangoes, a fisherman, a straw-hat maker, a steel drummer, and an artist. Claude wants to join Papa on the bus, but Claude has chores at home and classes at school. Finally, on Sunday Mama and Papa surprise Claude with a ride on the tap tap and they ride to the beach where the lady selling mangoes, the fisherman, the straw-hat maker, the steel drummer, and the artist show Claude how to paint, make hats, and fish. With Creole words sprinkled throughout and a glossary at the end, I Want to Ride the Tap Tap is a warm and lively portrayal of everyday life in Haiti.