Grandpa Green

Smith, L. (2011).  Grandpa Green. New York:  Roaring Book Press.

Grandpa Green, by Lane Smith, is a Caldecott Honor Book.  Published in 2011, it is a exquisitely illustrated book with a simple, yet beautiful plot.  It is very easy to see how this picture book holds such a high honor.



The story is told from the perspective of the great-grandson of Grandpa Green.  The narrator tells a brief life story of his grandfather, who became interested in horticulture in the days "before computers or cell phones or television."  The subject of the book had the intentions of attending horticulture school after high school, but was forced to fight in a world war.  His life was changed, and he grew old, but his story is told through his garden sculptures.

While this seems to be a very simple read, some of the diction--"horticulture," and "cafe"-- and allusions-- "chicken pox," and"world war,"--within the book prove to need a more advanced reader.

The illustrations are a huge part of what makes the book so beautiful.  On every page is at least one garden sculpture that reflects Grandpa Green's story.  The sculptures are vibrant green, creating a calm and peaceful tone to echo the narrative.  However, when Smith writes about Grandpa's war experience,  Smith (who is also the books illustrator) uses red flowers and leaves to represent bombs and fire resulted by cannons.  This use of color obviously creates a change in tone and symbolizes the violence in the war.

As the book continues, more and more green is used to mirror the calm tone and to symbolize Grandpa's life told through the garden.  On the last page is a large illustration of several sculptures used to represent the important events in Grandpa's life.

As it is read, the reader begins to ask several questions:  Would every child love the outdoors if technology didn't impact us so much?  How would Grandpa's life be different if he hadn't have fought in the war?  What represents me, like the garden represents Grandpa?

This book held a special meaning for me at this time.  My own grandmother is ill, and it doesn't look good.  Grandpa Green made me reflect on the time I have had with my grandmother as a child a cherish those memories.

Related Readings:
Once Upon MacDonald's Farm