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madhamster's review
4.0
Visiting a grandparent, especially one overseas, can be intimidating. But this is a lovely story of changing and adapting, and learning each other's ways. And, of love.
magnoliophyta's review
5.0
Remind me of my own nonexistent experience with my late grandfathers. This boy is blessed with having one, one that love him sincerely despite the language, age, and continent barrier between them two. This book brings smile to my face. Everything about it is so lovely, even the illustrations.
laceyc1's review
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
backonthealex's review
4.0
A young Korean American boy travels with his mother across the ocean to Korea goes to visit his grandfather, but he isn't very happy about it. Everything is unfamiliar - the smells, the food, even the way his grandpa bows to say hello. He can't understand anything grandpa says and grandpa doesn't hear well, plus he naps a lot in his chair. But when this ill-tempered boy breaks a potted plant playing ball in the house, instead of being mad, his grandpa proves to be quite caring and concerned, offering his contrite grandson some sweet peaches. Next thing you know, the two are playing together and have a great time laughing at the TV, going to the plants] store, enjoying some ice cream (both love chocolate). At the beach, Grandpa has more energy than is grandson, but both have a wonderful time together. Grandpa even begins to teach his grandson some Korean words. Naturally, when it comes time to return home, the boy is sad, but can't wait to return next summer. Grandpa Across the Ocean looks at the strength of family bond despite a language and distance barrier. The color pencil illustrations are bright and open, some are quite detailed, others are more like spot illustrations. I loved seeing the changes in the demeanor of both the grandfather and grandson as they get to know and understand each other better, and you can just see the feelings of mutual affection growing. There are a few Korean words in characters used throughout the book, but there is also a translation for each.
nyertryingtoreadeverything's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
mutuallyinclusive's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
4.0
Grandpa Across the Ocean by Hyewon Yum is a wonderful intergenerational story of a young boy who travels to visit his grandfather for the summer in an unfamiliar place across the ocean. Inspired by Yum’s own experience bringing her sons to visit her parents in South Korea, Grandpa Across the Ocean is a sweet story about overcoming barriers to connect with each other.
Our young narrator isn’t thrilled about his summer in the beginning. Everything is different across the ocean: the food, the language, even his grandfather. But with a little time together, the young boy and his grandfather overcome the language, cultural, and generational barriers before them and become closer than the boy imagined they would.
Grandpa Across the Ocean is perfect for young ones with loved ones across the ocean, but it also shares a wonderful message about how an unfamiliar place can come to feel like home.
Hyewon Yum’s illustrations are wonderful as well. I love how they capture the way the grandfather’s and grandson’s personalities come out more the closer they get to one another. It felt like such an honest representation of the way we let our guard down around those we love.
Hyewon Yum is an author, illustrator, and winner of both the Ezra Jack Keats Award for new illustrator and a Charlotte Zolotow Honor. To learn more about her and her work, please visit her website at hyewonyum.com.
Many thanks to Abrams Books For Young Readers for sending me a review copy Grandpa Across the Ocean. It was an absolute delight and I’m so pleased to be able to share it with you all today.
Our young narrator isn’t thrilled about his summer in the beginning. Everything is different across the ocean: the food, the language, even his grandfather. But with a little time together, the young boy and his grandfather overcome the language, cultural, and generational barriers before them and become closer than the boy imagined they would.
Grandpa Across the Ocean is perfect for young ones with loved ones across the ocean, but it also shares a wonderful message about how an unfamiliar place can come to feel like home.
Hyewon Yum’s illustrations are wonderful as well. I love how they capture the way the grandfather’s and grandson’s personalities come out more the closer they get to one another. It felt like such an honest representation of the way we let our guard down around those we love.
Hyewon Yum is an author, illustrator, and winner of both the Ezra Jack Keats Award for new illustrator and a Charlotte Zolotow Honor. To learn more about her and her work, please visit her website at hyewonyum.com.
Many thanks to Abrams Books For Young Readers for sending me a review copy Grandpa Across the Ocean. It was an absolute delight and I’m so pleased to be able to share it with you all today.
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