Book Title: Grandpa Green
Author & Illustrator: Lane Smith
Publisher: Macmillan
Copyright Date: 2011
Genre: Picturebook: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Brief Annotation: A great-grandson and a plush-green landscaped garden tell the story, and hold the memories of Grandpa Green. A tone of warmth, heart, and imagination are felt from the cover and carried through until the final pages. This book says so much with few words. There is intention in every word chosen and the illustrations are lovely. Come and meet Grandpa Green.
Your Rating (1-5) and why: 5 – This is a beautiful story with a beautiful presentation. Smith has created a story that brings this little cartoon great-grandson and great-grandfather to life. So much is learned about a life and so many feelings are developed through the use of so few words. Smith’s words and illustrations carry so much depth and tenderness. A book you will want to come back to many times. Deservedly, it is one of this year's Caldecott Honor Books.
Readers who will like this book: The illustrations will appeal to littler ones (3-4) and those slightly older will enjoy the illustrations and also be able to connect to the story of a grandson and a grandfather, as it might relate to their own family. For children whose grandparent is experiencing dementia, this may be a resource for parents to talk about it. Adults will also thoroughly enjoy this story and illustrations.
Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: What do people do when they can’t remember something? What might they do to help them remember?
Interest Level (age): 4-9
Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 2.5
List awards: Caldecott Honor Book, Publishers Weekly Best Children's Picture Books,
School Library Journal’s Best Picture Books
Does this book have a book trailer? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDbEfsdIGjI
I like the way you wrote, "There is intention in every word chosen." If Lane Smith were to read your review, I know he would be especially proud to know you described his writing that way--it's every writer's aspiration!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this book, but I'm a fan of Smiths. Have you read anything else by him? His most famous collaboration is with Jon Sciezka on books like The True Story of the Big Bad Wolf and Math Curse and Science Curse--there are many others. If you read this response to your post before class on 2/13, and you still have Grandpa Green in your possession, will you bring it? Thanks!
Thanks! I haven't read any of his other work, but I'm definitely interested in checking them out after enjoying this one so much. I'm happy to bring this book to class tomorrow.
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