Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say (author/illustrator). New York: Sandpiper, 2008. ISBN: 978-0547076805 

The author tells the story of his grandfather’s travels back and forth between Japan and the United States, and how he grew to understand his grandfather through his own similar experiences.

Media: watercolor, pencil

Rating: 5Q/2P

Literary device utilized: simile

Example: “Bombs fell from the sky and scattered our lives like leaves in a storm.”

Curricular connection: Social Studies, upper elementary school level

About the illustrations:

Allen Say’s watercolor paintings are masterpieces of illustration, representing each scene and subject with vivid detail and imagination.  There is a perfect balance of lightness and darkness in each painting.  He utilizes several different painting styles throughout the book, including portraiture, realism, landscape art, and impressionism.  Say frequently incorporates the golden ratio in his paintings, to create a sense of balance and proportion. Through the various scenes in the book, one can get a sense of Grandfather’s personality: adventurous, reserved, contemplative, thoughtful, intelligent, romantic, caring, and dutiful.     

* TOP TEN PICK

submitted July 2009 by Josh Mitchell  

Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2008.

ISBN: 0-547-07680-0

Annotation: This Caldecott Award winning book tells the author’s family’s three-generation story of Japanese tradition and immigration. It takes courage to leave a beloved homeland and begin a life in a new country. The result was the creation of a family hero to love and honor through time.

Media: watercolor

Curricular Connections: History, Family, Culture, Traditions, Immigration

Rating: 5Q/4P

RAC 7.28.09

Grandfather's journey by Allen Say. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1993.

            ISBN: 0395570352

            Annotation: this is the story of a young Japanese man who travels to America starts a new life but feels homesick and returns to Japan, then his steps are followed by his grandson who tells us his story.

            Media: paintings

            Rating: 5Q/5P

  Armando Rivera 7-05-09

Grandfather's journey, by Allen Say. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1993.

ISBN: 978-0547076805

Annotation: This Caldecott-winning story of the author’s family and how two countries (Japan and the United States) have shaped their lives is brought to life by Say's beautifully moody, contemplative illustrations.

Illustrations: watercolors

Curricular Use: 6^th-8^th grade; Language Arts, Social Studies

5Q/4P

 DM 7/5/09