Grandfather's Journey

by Allen Say, Allen Say (Illustrator)

Overview

Lyrical, breathtaking, splendid—words used to describe Allen Say’s Grandfather’s Journey when it was first published. At once deeply personal yet expressing universally held emotions, this tale of one man’s love for two countries and his constant desire to be in both places captured readers’ attention and hearts. Winner of the 1994 Caldecott Medal, it remains as historically relevant and emotionally engaging as ever.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780547076805
Publisher:	Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication date:	10/27/2008
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	11,091
Product dimensions:	9.30(w) x 11.30(h) x 0.20(d)
Lexile:	AD650L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Allen Say was born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1937. He dreamed of becoming a cartoonist from the age of six, and, at age twelve, apprenticed himself to his favorite cartoonist, Noro Shinpei. For the next four years, Say learned to draw and paint under the direction of Noro, who has remained Say's mentor. Say illustrated his first children's book—published in 1972—in a photo studio between shooting assignments. For years, Say continued writing and illustrating children's books on a part-time basis. But in 1987, while illustrating THE BOY OF THE THREE-YEAR NAP (Caldecott Honor Medal), he recaptured the joy he had known as a boy working in his master's studio. It was then that Say decided to make a full commitment to doing what he loves best: writing and illustrating children's books. Since then, he has written and illustrated many books, including TREE OF CRANES and GRANDFATHER'S JOURNEY, winner of the 1994 Caldecott Medal. He is a full-time writer and illustrator living in Portland, Oregon.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"The immigrant experience has rarely been so poignantly evoked as it is in this direct, lyrical narrative that is able to stir emotions through the sheer simplicity of its telling." Horn Book, Starred

Library Media Connection

Editorial Reviews

The immigrant experience has rarely been so poignantly evoked.
Horn Book, Starred

From the Publisher

Grandfather's Journey is a magnificent book about the protagonist's grandfather who leaves Japan to come to America as a young man. He remains in America where he builds his life and has a family but all the while he is thinking about and remembering all he left behind in Japan. When his daughter is grown, he takes the family back to Japan and he loves being back in the land of his birth. But all the while he is there he is thinking about and remembering the beauty of the mountains surrounding San Francisco and his life back in the United States. He will forever have his heart in two different places and never feel entirely at home in either place. The illustrations are superb and the book was recognized with a Caldecott Medal in 2009. B.D. Wong, widely known as Dr. George Huang on the television show Law & Order: SVU, narrates the story with all the quiet beauty the story deserves. An interview with the author/illustrator is included. While officially the age range is ages five to eight, I find this book is suited to an older crowd from about 3rd grade and up. It is even useful in middle and high school classrooms when discussing immigration. Reviewer: Joan Kindig, Ph.D.

Children's Literature - Joan Kindig

A beautifully illustrated picture book comes to life on DVD. With tasteful music and gentle narration, the story of Grandfather's journey to America from Japan takes flight. The emotional connection Grandfather has toward his homeland and to this new country is evident in the illustrations. The original illustrations from the book are used on the DVD. However, their use is enhanced as the camera focuses on one aspect of the drawing or layers image over image of the majestic mountains or slowly reveals the sea of grain Grandfather is walking through. The narration makes the visual selection even more poignant. The DVD follows the story faithfully. We follow the Grandfather's journey, but are also privy to the journey of the daughter and then of the daughter's son, who is telling the story. The watercolor illustrations show the cultural differences and yet the similar style of painting keeps the new generation connected to the past. The DVD enhances the experience of the picture book and at the end leaves a lasting impression of love and family and appreciation for home. The DVD is a great way to introduce ancestry to older children who might find the notion of a picture book off putting. Guided Reading Level: N. Reviewer: Loretta Caravette

Children's Literature - Loretta Caravette