GRANDPA GREEN, written and illustrated by Lane Smith

Bibliography

Smith, Lane.  Grandpa Green.  New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2011.  ISBN 978-1-59643-607-7

Plot Summary

     In terms of plot, Grandpa Green is fairly simple.  The story is a child’s biography highlighting key events of his beloved great-grandfather’s life as told by his great-grandson and is revealed by the sculpted forms in his garden.  It is in the illustrations that this stunning book really shines.

Critical Analysis

     It is obvious that Smith is an illustrator first and an author second.  His illustrations depicting various occurrences in the grandfather’s life are fanciful and symbolic.  The format of both text and graphics lends itself to prompting conversation between adult reader and child spectator.  From some advanced vocabulary (i.e. “horticulture”) to complex concepts (like World War II), a child can appreciate the beauty of this book but will only understand the literal meaning of it so far without an adult’s help.  That said, this book is ripe for the young imagination.  Some children may not recognize the Wizard of Oz characters or know that the presence of the Eiffel Tower means that he met his wife in France, but children will still find it enchanting in their own way. 

     Smith’s illustrations are incredibly detailed and full of symbolism.  This is a book to be read multiple times and viewed slowly; one finds new elements and characters the more one reads it.  For example the first time I read the book, I completely overlooked the sinister-looking creature on page 20 which seems to be representative of the great-grandfather’s declining memory as this visual is juxtaposed with the boy’s statement, “He used to remember everything.”  I particularly like the symbolic way Smith places a tree across two pages and pairs it with the line, “Now he’s pretty old.”  One can see how the tree with its large, deep roots, a few broken branches, sparse leaves, and sprawling arms seemingly ready to give a hug symbolically represents the great-grandfather and the role he plays in his great-grandson’s life.  Grandpa Green is surely just as enjoyable for adults as it is for children.

Awards and Review Excerpts

2012 Caldecott Honor Book

• Booklist: “Sketched with a finely lined fairy-tale wispiness and dominated by verdant green, the illustrations are not just creative but poignant.”
• Kirkus: “Though this book has lots of adult appeal, it will also be a wonderful bridge to exploring family history with the very young.”
• School Library Journal starred review: "Visually intriguing and emotionally resonant, this is a book to pore over and talk about. With each subsequent reading, it offers new layers of meaning and visual connections."

Connections

• Have parents read this book with their children.  Afterward, have children conduct a family interview either with a parent or older relative.  Students can create their own book relating the relative’s memories, history, hobbies, etc.
• The great-grandfather’s memories are expressed through artfully carved plants in the story.  Have students discuss how they preserve their own memories.
• Pair a reading of this book with a class horticulture activity; students could make a terrarium to keep in the classroom or plant easy-to-grow herbs, lettuces, flowers, and greenery in planters kept outside.

Personal Reflections

     This is a book that I had neither read nor even heard of before reading it for this class.  I really loved exploring this book!  One of my very favorite books was and still is Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree, and it reminded me very much of that book both in style and story.  The artwork also reminded me of one of our family’s favorite films, The Secret of Kells.  This is a book that would make a beautifully animated film. I was not surprised to learn that Smith has worked with Pixar and Disney in the past.