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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
The Fan Brothers tell a story of little boy remembering his Grandfather, the stories that were told and the special times they spent together planning to sail to sea. Finn pays tribute to Grandpa by building a boat, and, after falling asleep, finds himself drifting into the sea. Here, the protagonist goes on a surreal journey, where sea creatures are larger than life and ships rise above the sea; it is the place where ocean meets sky.
To me, Finn’s journey was one of reflection and coming to understand his loss by walking (or indeed, sailing) through his grandfather’s footsteps. Perhaps the place where ocean meets sky is the point where Finn comes to accept where his grandfather has been and where he has gone to next. I do not necessarily wish to attach heaven or an afterlife to this, but there was certainly a spiritual presence and a connection between Finn and the depiction of the moon, which so deeply resembled his grandfather. Perhaps the place where the ocean meets the sky is the point where Finn comes to accept that he must continue his life without Grandpa; he must allow himself to return to the present, but the memories will always remain. Whatever the case, I think that the obscurity in this is something truly valuable. It allows the reader to attach their own feelings towards coming to terms with loss and the past to Finn's inner understanding.
Fan’s illustrations were something to behold, the reader is totally immersed in the magic of Finn’s dream space, and perhaps the greater enormity of his emotional processing. So much can be learned about the passions that grandfather shared with grandchild through the illustrative details scattered across Finn’s path, with plenty of opportunity for wondering what they tell us about Grandpa’s life. I think that this is a very special story that shares the lasting impact that a loving grandparent can have upon a child.
To me, Finn’s journey was one of reflection and coming to understand his loss by walking (or indeed, sailing) through his grandfather’s footsteps. Perhaps the place where ocean meets sky is the point where Finn comes to accept where his grandfather has been and where he has gone to next. I do not necessarily wish to attach heaven or an afterlife to this, but there was certainly a spiritual presence and a connection between Finn and the depiction of the moon, which so deeply resembled his grandfather. Perhaps the place where the ocean meets the sky is the point where Finn comes to accept that he must continue his life without Grandpa; he must allow himself to return to the present, but the memories will always remain. Whatever the case, I think that the obscurity in this is something truly valuable. It allows the reader to attach their own feelings towards coming to terms with loss and the past to Finn's inner understanding.
Fan’s illustrations were something to behold, the reader is totally immersed in the magic of Finn’s dream space, and perhaps the greater enormity of his emotional processing. So much can be learned about the passions that grandfather shared with grandchild through the illustrative details scattered across Finn’s path, with plenty of opportunity for wondering what they tell us about Grandpa’s life. I think that this is a very special story that shares the lasting impact that a loving grandparent can have upon a child.
Certainly my favourite from what the Fan Brothers have created so far. A young, Asian boy finds himself reflecting of the time he spent with his grandfather. In his home, the boy would remember his grandfather's stories and the trinkets or carvings that he could share. To honour his memory, Finn builds his own boat and takes the journey that they had planned but not fulfilled.
Although I thought that some of writing needed a little work, the Fan Brothers intertextual references are wonderful and make this such a rich, inter-generational exploration and a young boy tries to understand what treasures his grandfather has left him with. It might not be as poignant as Benji Davies' Grandad's Island, but the message of journeys, healing and remembrance ring just as true - the Fan Brothers though celebrate this through so much of the light fantastic that you cannot help fall for its visual richness.
Although I thought that some of writing needed a little work, the Fan Brothers intertextual references are wonderful and make this such a rich, inter-generational exploration and a young boy tries to understand what treasures his grandfather has left him with. It might not be as poignant as Benji Davies' Grandad's Island, but the message of journeys, healing and remembrance ring just as true - the Fan Brothers though celebrate this through so much of the light fantastic that you cannot help fall for its visual richness.
3.5/5
This children's book is very cute with some absolutely breathtaking illustrations. A perfect tale for a kid who has either lost a grandparent recently or who just wants to sail away and have grand adventures.
This children's book is very cute with some absolutely breathtaking illustrations. A perfect tale for a kid who has either lost a grandparent recently or who just wants to sail away and have grand adventures.
Very sweet, with gorgeous, spellbinding illustrations!
Looking for grief books for kids. Really couldn't connect to the story.
