Grandpa Green
on Goodreads (8,565)
What’s inside...
A Caldecott Honor Book from the creator of the national bestseller 'It's a Book', 'Grandpa Green' is a timeless story that explores aging, memory, and family bonds. The book follows Grandpa Green's great-grandson as he journeys through a garden of topiary trees that encapsulate memories of Grandpa Green’s life as a farmboy, soldier, and artist. This touching and whimsical picture book celebrates the legacy and love passed down through generations, making it a perfect read for parents and grandparents to share with children. 'Grandpa Green' has been recognized as a Publishers Weekly Best Children's Picture Book and one of School Library Journal's Best Picture Books of 2011, and has Common Core connections.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What are some of your favorite memories with your grandparents or an older person in your life?
How does Grandpa Green use his garden to tell stories about his life?
What did you notice about the way the garden changes throughout the book? What do you think these changes mean?
How can we keep memories alive like Grandpa Green does?
Why do you think it's important to remember and share our stories?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to bring up their own experiences and relate them to Grandpa Green’s stories.
Discuss the importance of family memories and create a small family 'garden' of memories together using drawings or objects that represent different stories.
Use the illustrations in the book to point out subtle details that might reveal more about Grandpa Green's character and life, enhancing their observation skills.
Suggest creating a simple garden or plant project at home to reinforce the themes of growth and memory from the book.
Reflect together on the silent, yet expressive nature of storytelling through art and nature as shown in Grandpa Green.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of Family Memories
Explanation: The book portrays a boy exploring his great-grandfather’s memories through a topiary garden, revealing the significance of family history and stories.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to spend time with their grandparents or older family members, learning about their histories and experiences to strengthen family bonds.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: Grandpa Green uses his artistic skills to create topiary sculptures that represent different moments in his life, showing how creativity can capture and preserve memories.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to engage in artistic activities such as drawing, sculpting, or gardening to express themselves and their own experiences creatively.
Example Lesson: Dealing with Aging and Memory
Explanation: The story gently touches on the theme of aging and memory loss as Grandpa Green forgets some details, but his garden serves as a physical memory book.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of empathy and understanding toward the elderly, and see the value in creating keepsakes or journals to help remember and honor the past.
Example Lesson: Inter-generational Connection
Explanation: The book shows a young boy actively participating in maintaining and understanding his great-grandfather’s garden, symbolizing the bridge between generations.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to interact and learn from older generations, recognizing the wisdom they can offer and the continuity of family legacy.
Example Lesson: Resilience through Art
Explanation: Grandpa Green channels his life’s challenges into his garden creations, transforming tough times into beautiful art, illustrating resilience.
Real-World Application: Children learn that they can cope with their own difficulties through creative outlets, finding personal ways to overcome challenges and express emotions.