Bibliography
Smith, Lane. 2011. Grandpa Green. New York, New York:
Roaring Brook Press.
Summary
Grandpa Green was a boy with chicken pox, a soldier, a
husband, father and grandfather. While he can’t always share his memories
aloud, he lets his garden tell the story of his life.
Critical Analysis
Memories come alive through a topiary garden. A
great-grandson is taken down memory lane through Grandpa Green’s garden. The
reader is taken through an old man’s memory piece by piece, until the complete
story is revealed. This is a story that can be enjoyed by children and adults
alike. Anyone who is interested in their family history will enjoy this
creative look at Grandpa Green’s life.
The story would not be complete without the imaginative
illustrations from Lane Smith. Green, in both name and color, this story
unfolds with pops of excitement brought out in splashes of red – chicken pox
berries, a flowery bow, leaves of fire, a heart of roses. The simple line
drawings and dominating topiary illustrations help this story unfold.
Review Excerpts
2012 Caldecott Honor
School Library Journal – “A clever premise, brilliant
pacing, and whimsical illustrations…”
Kirkus Review – “Readers who slow down will be rewarded by
this visual feast that grows richer with each visit.”
Connections
Use as an introduction to a family history project.
Have students think of a happy memory and imagine how it
would look as a topiary. Then have them draw or use a variety of media such as
construction paper and tissue paper to create their own topiary memory.
Read more on how topiaries are created.
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