grandpa green written & illustrated by lane smith

Smith, Lane. Grandpa Green. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2011. ISBN: 9781596436077

Plot Summary:
     Grandpa Green is the story of a man's life told by his 'great-grandkid.' The life of Grandpa Green is told and depicted through the images of his garden. Each image encompasses a significant period in Grandpa's life that is recreated and shared through the mind of his 'great-grandkid.'

Critical Analysis:
          Grandpa Green is a picture storybook attributed by its ability to capture and engage all readers outside of the suggested reading level ranging from kindergarten to fourth grade. The concept of this story was developed around the life of the great grandfather, Grandpa Green. Grandpa Green's story began from his birth, to his dreams and aspirations, to being deployed to fight in a world war, to finding love, to having children, to having grandchildren, and to having a great-grandchild who was able to share his story. Smith implements the vocabulary and sentence structure that would be utilized by someone's great grandchild, at the age of six, offering children with the feel of understanding and relation within the context. Not only does Smith find a way to develop a story that children can enjoy and relate to, but he provides a beautiful usage of illustrations to capture each moment depicted by written entry.
      Lane Smith, the author and illustrator, conceptualizes the story of the life of the great grandfather by his usage of line drawings and sponge-like illustrations. The color element used by Smith is primarily comprised of greens which convey a sense of warmness and correlate with the nature theme of the story. The color red is minimally incorporated and found in some illustrations that contrast against the warm theme, thus bringing attention towards the red berries, red bow, and red leaves. Not only does the author capture a story with his illustrations, but he uses symbolism and unique visualizations through the shapes of topiary trees and bushes.

Awards Won:
Caldecott Medal (2012), Publisher's Weekly Best Children's Picture Books (2011), Capitol Choices Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens (2011), Vermont Red Clover Children's Choice Award Master List (2012), American Library Association Notable Children's Books (2012), GA Picture Storybook Award ML (2013), Nautilus Book Award - Silver (2012)

Review Excepts:

"In this affecting picture book, a boy recounts the life of his beloved great-grandfather…The author’s illustrations, a blend of line drawings and sponge painting, have a classic feel, and make clever use of the topiary theme, rewarding close examination and repeated reading" - The New Yorker

 "Great-grandpa’s memory may be going, but the past remains vibrantly alive in the playful topiaries that decorate his brilliantly green yard. Lush and magical.” - People

 “It's a rare glimpse into Smith's softer side--as skillful as his more sly offerings, but crafted with honesty and heart.” - School Library Journal Starred Review

 “Opening this book is like opening a gate to a secret garden, filled with the treasures of a life well lived. In his portrait of a boy who adores and honors his forgetful great-grandfather, Smith shows us that the things that are meaningful to the ones we love become part of our garden, too.” - Shelf Awareness

 “Sketched with a finely lined fairy-tale wispiness and dominated by verdant green, the illustrations are not just creative but poignant.” - Booklist

Connections:
Customers who bought this book also purchased Oliver Jeffers' Stuck, John Rocco's Blackout, and Patrick McDonnell's Me...Jane.

Interactivity:

• Have children discuss a hobby that they enjoy with their grandparents or great-grandparents.
• Have children draw and cut shapes of animals, figures of people, and hearts from green paper and tape them around the wall to symbolize a classroom topiary garden. 
• Define the biggest word in the book (horticulture), and plant lima beans in a cup for each child to take home to grow a tiny plant.