You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
Grandfather’s Journey was written by Allen Say and he also illustrated the book as well. This was a picture book, but it was geared toward children in primary grades because it does have words that go along with the pictures in the book. The main characters in the book are Say’s grandfather, grandmother, his mom, and Say, but the book revolves mostly around his grandfather and the story is told from Say’s point of view. The story takes place all over the United States and in Japan.
The story starts off with of with Say telling the reader that his grandfather left home when he was a young man, and that he left because he wanted to see the world. Say tells the reader that his father took a long journey because he traveled by boat and took three weeks to get to his destination. Once his grandfather gets to the United States he tells the reader about various sights that he saw and that his favorite place was California. After his grandfather is done exploring he goes back to Japan to bring his first love back to the states and marries her. They have a child and decide to raise her back in Japan. Then their daughter has a child and is when Say is born. They all talk about going back to the United States, but war makes that dream impossible. Say says that his grandfather always wanted to go back to the United States, but he never got the chance. So when Say got old enough he left Japan to visit the United States himself so he could see all the things his grandfather was talking about when he was a child.
This was a very good book and I think it would be a very good read for young children. The story is told very well and the art for the story is done very beautifully. At some point in time we have all been told stories from our elders that have stuck with us and I think this is another reason children will like this book. I know I have had stories my mother and father have told me that made me want to do certain things in my life.
The story starts off with of with Say telling the reader that his grandfather left home when he was a young man, and that he left because he wanted to see the world. Say tells the reader that his father took a long journey because he traveled by boat and took three weeks to get to his destination. Once his grandfather gets to the United States he tells the reader about various sights that he saw and that his favorite place was California. After his grandfather is done exploring he goes back to Japan to bring his first love back to the states and marries her. They have a child and decide to raise her back in Japan. Then their daughter has a child and is when Say is born. They all talk about going back to the United States, but war makes that dream impossible. Say says that his grandfather always wanted to go back to the United States, but he never got the chance. So when Say got old enough he left Japan to visit the United States himself so he could see all the things his grandfather was talking about when he was a child.
This was a very good book and I think it would be a very good read for young children. The story is told very well and the art for the story is done very beautifully. At some point in time we have all been told stories from our elders that have stuck with us and I think this is another reason children will like this book. I know I have had stories my mother and father have told me that made me want to do certain things in my life.
A beautifully illustrated work meditating on lifespans, homesickness, immigration, belonging, and the importance of family.
Say’s illustrations are stunning, done in watercolors in faded sepia tones, as if each image is a faded family photo. The image (8.5x7.5 inches) is centered on the large pages with simple text beneath. Each illustration is beautifully detailed and in a realistic style, letting you watch the author’s grandfather slowly age throughout the story.
Ages four to eight. The illustrations are spellbinding especially since they depict a different era in both the United States and Japan. This would be a neat selection to read in a group of books about immigration, especially since this story focuses on traveling across the Pacific Ocean instead of the Atlantic.
Ages four to eight. The illustrations are spellbinding especially since they depict a different era in both the United States and Japan. This would be a neat selection to read in a group of books about immigration, especially since this story focuses on traveling across the Pacific Ocean instead of the Atlantic.
One of my favorite things about [author: Allen Say] is that his illustrations do not include movement. Each seems to be a portrait of a person at a specific moment, as if someone pulled out a camera and captured it. The story, of what makes a place "home", is one that will resonate with anyone who has ever lived in more than one place.
The illustrations in this story were very attractive and it has some universal themes which speak to what home means to people who have traveled. The thing I remember most from the reading, aside from the drawings, is the statement that whenever we are in one place we are homesick for the other. Also there was something about how being a parent makes you crave old things, I really resonated with that idea.
reflective
medium-paced
A great book that describes the longing in someone's heart when they make home in more than one country
informative
reflective
slow-paced
I love this thoughtful picturebook. It delves into the curious pain of homesickness.
This book, and especially the illustrations, are brilliant. And, for me, the five stars come from personal experience. The short story is that my daughter and I used to have sushi together nearly every Tuesday at the same place, always sitting at the counter. Turns out that Allen Say and his wife also had sushi there most Tuesdays and also sat there. We struck up a friendship, and he ended up inscribing some of his best books for her. Good memories and sushi, and a great person.
Genre: Historical fiction
Grade Level: 3-5
This is a good book. It shows the love of country and the cultural struggles that immigrants face. It also shows how life in different cultures work.
Grade Level: 3-5
This is a good book. It shows the love of country and the cultural struggles that immigrants face. It also shows how life in different cultures work.