Browse Books by Year

2012 List | 2011 List | 2010 List

Current List In Progress

Click here to see all the titles.

GRANDPA GREEN

Cover of Grandpa Green
Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Smith
Author's First Name: 
Lane
Illustrator's First Name: 
Smith
Illustrator's Last Name: 
Lane
Publisher: 
Roaring Brook
Publication Date: 
2011
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 

Lush, highly-textured green images on luxurious white expanses depict the topiary bushes that a great-grandfather fashions to help him remember important events in his life: getting the chicken-pox, experiencing his first kiss, going off to war. His great-grandson follows in his footsteps--literally and figuratively--and his actions indicate the depth of his skill and love. This departure for Smith is both aesthetically and emotionally satisfying. Up to Seven. Wendy Lukehart

A young boy learns about the past through the topiary his grandfather planted and lovingly shaped over a lifetime. Brush and ink outlines create the human figures while watercolor, oil paint, and digital paint contour the foliage in this multi-layered tale.
 

Comments

aklause's picture

I found it somewhat obscure

by aklause - 12/07/2011 - 7:29pm
I found it somewhat obscure and puzzling and wondered who the audience was.

Meeting Notes for November

by ladamson - 11/24/2011 - 10:08am

Meeting Notes for November 18

Positive Comments:

  • Topiary is an intriguing way to present the great-grandfather’s history.
  • Appealing literary allusions include The Secret Garden, The Wizard of Oz, and Drummer Hoff.
  • Smith handles the subject of dementia/Alzheimer’s in a way that families will appreciate.

Observations

  • The illustrations intrigue children who enjoy following the child as he picks up all the objects.
  • Girls in one third-grade class barely tolerated the book, and the boys hated it.

Concerns:

  • In a book espousing individuality, the grandchildren look the same.