The end-of-the-year lists have started cropping up. Just this past month The New York Times announced The 2011 Best Illustrated Children’s Books and Publisher's Weekly compiled the PW Best Books 2011: Children's Books. I like to keep a close eye on these early lists. It's possible the next Caldecott winner is among the titles mentioned. Don't believe me? Just look at a few of the lists from past few years and you'll see a connection.
Lane Smith's new picture book, Grandpa Green, made it onto both lists. His book gracefully tackles the subject of aging and intergenerational relationships. With unusually lush, green illustrations, it's simply a beautiful book. 
Grandpa Green
Review Book Source: Copy from our local library
Grandpa Green captures important life moments in his garden, a horticultural memoir of sorts showing events and people from his past preserved in topiary. His great-grandson explores the lush trip down memory lane, stopping by all the carefully shaped trees and bushes and picking up the tools his great-grandfather has dropped along the way. A crying baby trimmed from a bush symbolizes Grandpa Green's birth, a carrot shaped topiary reminds everyone of his farming background, and a cannon and parachuters made out of plants represent his wartime experiences. "He used to remember everything. Now he's pretty old." Grandpa Green shapes his story plant by plant with his clippers, his most significant memories living on, flourishing and serving as a reminder, while new ones crop up along the way as he is assisted by his great-grandchild. Grandpa Green's legacy stands, ready to be passed down generation after generation.
Grandpa Green is the kind of book that affects people, young and old, in different ways. It's a poignant and interesting exploration of a life, and though Lane describes it as a fictional story, it seems deeply personal. Those with an elderly friend or family member or one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease will find it particularly touching. And even though the book tackles serious topics, there are plenty of touches of humor and playfulness that you'd expect from Smith like bunnies eating a topiary carrot and a reference to the Wizard of Oz. Both my daughter and son love to discuss all the detailed images found in the ink line drawings and painted foliage.
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By: Brimful Curiosities,
on 11/18/2011
Blog: Brimful Curiosities (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Book Review, Picture Books, Nature, Gardening, Macmillan, Roaring Book Press, 2011, Inter-generational, Add a tag
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By: Brimful Curiosities,
on 11/18/2011
Blog: Brimful Curiosities (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Book Review, Picture Books, Nature, Gardening, Macmillan, Roaring Book Press, 2011, Inter-generational, Add a tag
3 Comments on Grandpa Green by Lane Smith - Book Review, last added: 11/21/2011
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By: Brimful Curiosities,
on 5/1/2010
Blog: Brimful Curiosities (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Book Review, Nature, Crafts, Gardening, Outdoor Activities, Grandparent, Workman Publishing, Family Time, Educational Resources, Lands' End, Parenting Books, Inter-generational, Add a tag
Going to my grandparents' farm is always a special treat. Outside we have the chance to experience the wonders of nature with acres and acres to explore, rocks to climb, a winding, mesmerizing creek to splash in and garden full of treats. Inside their home, the kitchen is always full of bustle as grandma whips up sweet rolls, cookies and a rainbow of canned produce and jams.
I have so many wonderful childhood memories of visiting my grandparents and spending summer days watching them and learning their tricks. They grew up in a vastly different time, when TVs and computers did not exist and as children they learned to love nature and its marvels and cherish time together as a family. They made sure to engage their grandchildren in similar experiences. When we visited them we did not sit in front of the TV but instead participated in life-enriching activities, played games and lived in tune with nature.
"When you're sharing nature with a child, you'll find that even a short walk through your backyard will yield a crop of fresh discoveries and questions. Start a tradition of asking, "I wonder what's going on outdoors today?" - Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars by Sharon LovejoyNot all grandparents (or parents) live on a farm, but that doesn't mean that they can't also inspire and create a fun-filled environment for children to explore. Sharon Lovejoy's newest book, Toad Cottages and Shooting Stars: Grandma's Bag of Tricks
is a treasure trove of wonderful ideas, crafts, cooking and gardening activities and the perfect resource to use with young children. The whimsical and beautifully illustrated book is divided into several interesting sections:- The Neighborhood Naturalist (includes a mudpie recipe for attracting butterflies and instructions to make a moon phase flip book)
- Kids in the Kitchen (yummy recipes like Summer Berry Soup and how to make a solar oven)
- Kitchen Garbage Garden (setting up peek-a-boo plants and growing a citrus tree)
- Kids in the Garden (tips on container gardening, herbs, engraving pumpkins and planting a bale garden)
- Preparing Camp Granny (inspiring imaginative play and building child friendly places with fairy houses, faerie mailboxes, book baskets and more)
- Rainy Day Activities (crafting ideas like rain sticks, toad cottages and making a worm hotel)
I'm always on
30 Comments on Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars by Sharon Lovejoy - Book Review & Giveaway, last added: 5/4/2010
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Wow! This looks like a wonderful book!
We loved this one too. I think it is able to speak to different audiences on different levels. Plus, it's different than anything else that is out there. I think it helps kids to think outside the box... I mean, who makes a timeline out of topiaries? That's cool!
I read another review of this book and thought that it sounds very interesting. Thanks for joining WMCIR!