Through compelling reminiscences of his grandfather's life in America and Japan, Allen Say gives us a poignant acount of a family's unique cross-cu...
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Aug 02, 2011
Dolly
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This is a wonderful story about the life of a man from Japan. Early on, he travels extensively throughout the US and then returns home to raise his family. The pictures are amazing, as you would expect for a Caldecott Medal winner, and they tell a beautiful story of the man's life, as he grows up, starts a family and passes on his story to a younger generation. The narrative is simple, often one or two sentences per page, but it is enough to weave a beautiful tale, a heartfelt memoir of the a
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Nov 21, 2011
Bajen
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The Children I reviewed for children's biography is calle entitle Grandfather's journey.It is illustated by Allen Say.It is a children's biography suitable for 5-6.The author of this book Allen Say had written other books selected as an AlA natable children's book. He is a winner of the 1988 Caldecott Honor Medal and 1988 Boston Globe Horn book award.Allen Say is an immagrant to the United Staes from Yokohama, Japan.He migrated to United states when he was sixteen. He wrote this book Grandfather
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Nov 17, 2011
Joanna
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This is a story that will be particularly appreciated by anyone who has tried to straddle more than one culture and finds themselves at home in both and neither.
Allen Say recounts his grandfather’s life in America and his Japanese homeland. This is a large book and it opens with a portrait of Say’s grandfather in traditional Japanese dress, transitioning to him in European dress on page two, aboard a steamboat for the USA. Each page has a large, subdued illustration of new experience More...
Allen Say recounts his grandfather’s life in America and his Japanese homeland. This is a large book and it opens with a portrait of Say’s grandfather in traditional Japanese dress, transitioning to him in European dress on page two, aboard a steamboat for the USA. Each page has a large, subdued illustration of new experience More...
Nov 03, 2011
Maria
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This is definitely an interesting children's picture book. I like the fact that story involves four generations of Japanese families, it uses very simple language, and the illustrations are highly artistic. I am glad I choose this story to comment about because I connect to the story in three different ways, first as an immigrant, second as an admirer of the Japanese culture, and third because I also lived in California for ten years. I was born in Mexico and I came to this country as an a More...
Sep 05, 2011
Jennifer
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“Grandfather’s Journey” by Allen Say, is one of my favorite children’s pictures. I tend to like simple children’s books with a deeper meaning behind them. The story is about his grandfather’s journey from Japan to United States which eventually leads him to California. Then his returned to Japan to marry his wife and bring her back to California. But then the longing to return home stayed with him so he decided to go back with his family including his grown-up daughter. The daughter eventually m
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Sep 04, 2011
Marissa
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I enjoyed reading this book. I found it to be easy to follow and an interesting story. I had no idea what to expect because the cover and the back of the book are bare so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I liked the illustrations because they were very simple but still said a lot at the same time and used lots of colors. They made it very easy for the reader to visualize what was happening throughout the story. I also think they helped to keep me interested in what was going on. I wanted to
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Feb 05, 2011
Quincy
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 31, 2011
Sarah
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I really loved this book. Simple, concise prose and gorgeous illustrations tell the story of the author’s grandfather’s life between Japan and the United States. Say’s award-winning illustrations have the soft coloring and style of old photos, which lend to the theme of a nostalgic look at Say’s own history, beginning with his Grandfather’s journey to America in the early part of the 20th century. This would be a wonderful inclusion to an author study of Allen Say as an important author and i
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Jan 29, 2011
Leane
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"Grandfather's Journey" is a Caldecott-Award winning picture book from Allen Say. It is a cross cultural experience for readers as they learn what it is like to have the desire to be in two places at once. Say based the book on the experiences of his grandfather, who was born in Japan and moved to the United States, wearing English clothing, to explore the country and its people. He meets people from all different walks of life and is amazed by the beauty of the country, from the mo
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Jan 28, 2011
Celeste
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The story, Grandfather's Journey,is a wonderful book in both its illustrations and story. This young man who leaves his homeland in Japan to travel to America, falls in love with the country and its beautiful sights. He begins to miss his homeland and decides to travel back to Japan to see all the beautiful sights he has missed and to marry his sweetheart. Later on, he begins to miss his second home of California and takes his wife and child to America to live. When his daughter is grown, she l
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Dec 08, 2010
Chris
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Say, Allen. Grandfather’s Journey (1993)
Grandfather’s Journey is a story based on Allen Say’s grandfather’s immigration from Japan to the United States as a young boy. After traveling through the country marveling at the sights and meeting many new people, the grandfather settles in San Francisco where he begins his new life in America. He returns to Japan to marry then brings his wife back to San Francisco where they raise a daughter. Eventually he becomes homesick for the land of his More...
Grandfather’s Journey is a story based on Allen Say’s grandfather’s immigration from Japan to the United States as a young boy. After traveling through the country marveling at the sights and meeting many new people, the grandfather settles in San Francisco where he begins his new life in America. He returns to Japan to marry then brings his wife back to San Francisco where they raise a daughter. Eventually he becomes homesick for the land of his More...
Jun 13, 2010
Anthony
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In Grandfather's Journey, there are a few different aspects to analyze. This first thing that comes to mind is the narrator. After looking through the David L. Russell's text on Literature for Children, it is clear that there is a internal narrator. At the end of the book, the word "I" is used such as "I think I know my grandfather now" (32). Another thing that is noticeable is the gender role which Russell talks about. Russell talks about how men are assigned roles such as
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Jun 01, 2010
Melissa
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This novel can be considered realistic in that this is a true story, with the intent of informing readers of their journey to America. This book does not contain supernatural content and can be applicable to real-life circumstances. This connects with Russell’s explanation of a realistic novel in chapter 3 of Literature for Children. The grandfather is the central character in the book and is also considered to be the protagonist. The reader is able to see one side of the characters which establ
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Mar 31, 2010
Josiah
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The journey taken by Allen Say's grandfather, spanning two countries that he loved deeply with all his heart, is an odyssey of emotion and desire that will stay for a long time in the thoughts of any reader.
His grandfather didn't develop a love only for his original home country of Japan; when he came to the United States as a young man, he fell deeply in love with the unique nuances of the new country, as well. America had features that dazzled and amazed him, bewildered and sober More...
His grandfather didn't develop a love only for his original home country of Japan; when he came to the United States as a young man, he fell deeply in love with the unique nuances of the new country, as well. America had features that dazzled and amazed him, bewildered and sober More...
Feb 03, 2010
Stephanie
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This 1994 Caldecott Medal Award Winner does a great job of bringing the Japanese and American cultures together. The narrator speaks about how his grandfather longed to travel throughout North America, but always wanted to return to his homeland of Japan. His grandfather struggled with his decision of which two countries to raise his family and settle down in. In the end, the narrator views his grandfather’s struggles and expresses that he too sees that cultural gap within his own life.
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Feb 02, 2010
Linda
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Grandfather's Journey followed an aspiring young man from Japan who sought the adventure the United States had to offer him. Once seeing the wistful west coast, he decided to stay, marry and raise a family in San Fransisco. Yet his homeland of Japan was always whispering for him to come back. And he did just that when his daughter turned sixteen. His daughter decided to stay in Japan, marry and raise a family. And this, now wiser man, told stories of the United States to his grandson, wishi
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Oct 26, 2009
Delicia
rated it:
Genre: fiction, creative nonfiction,picture book
Topic: travel, moving, war,
Theme: homesickness, loss of identity
Illustrations: the illustrations are very bright and colorful. They are very realistic depictions of natural scenery. They confirm the text very well but they are not highly supportive.
Reading level: transitional
Use: read aloud, independent reading, guided reading
Literary elements: vivid descriptions,
Thoughts:
Grandfather's More...
Topic: travel, moving, war,
Theme: homesickness, loss of identity
Illustrations: the illustrations are very bright and colorful. They are very realistic depictions of natural scenery. They confirm the text very well but they are not highly supportive.
Reading level: transitional
Use: read aloud, independent reading, guided reading
Literary elements: vivid descriptions,
Thoughts:
Grandfather's More...
Jun 10, 2009
Marcia
rated it:
The story is an oral history of immigration. One could say the author followed his grandfather’s footsteps and walked in his grandfather’s shoes. This nostalgic story touches the heart of anyone who has called two countries “home”. It is about yearning to be in the other place; remembering the mountains, the rivers, and old friends. The story compares and contrasts so many meanings. The origami Japanese boat on the title page and back cover contrasts with the steamship on the cover and the river
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Sep 07, 2011
Traci
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Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say is a moving tale about Say's grandfather's journey. The grandfather tells how he came from Japan to the United States and fell in love with California, but he moved back to Japan to get married and start a family. As the Say learns more and more about his grandfather's life he begins to realize how well he has started to know his grandfather and his life story.
This book is illustrated by Say as well, and I must say that the illustrations are breath More...
This book is illustrated by Say as well, and I must say that the illustrations are breath More...
Aug 22, 2011
Heather
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1994 Caldecott Medal Winner
The watercolor paintings in this book are really amazing. Very realistic art--we really get a sense of going back and forth from Japan to America.
As a family historian, I thought it was awesome that Mr. Say wrote down his grandfather's story, but it was a little too simple and meandering for me. I wanted to know more about the historical context--was it WWII that he was referring to? I can't tell just from the clothing. Still, I loved it for the More...
The watercolor paintings in this book are really amazing. Very realistic art--we really get a sense of going back and forth from Japan to America.
As a family historian, I thought it was awesome that Mr. Say wrote down his grandfather's story, but it was a little too simple and meandering for me. I wanted to know more about the historical context--was it WWII that he was referring to? I can't tell just from the clothing. Still, I loved it for the More...
Nov 03, 2010
N_amandascholz
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This stunning book is a picture book that I would consider using with high school students when we discuss the process and history of American immigration and assimilation. In this picture book, the author, Allen Say, shares the story of his grandfather who was born and raised in Japan. Eager to see the world, he journeys to the United States and marvels at the natural and varied beauties of the country. The large water-color illustrations are like large-format photographs, faded with age and se
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Sep 30, 2009
(NS) Laura
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Grandfather’s Journey was written and illustrated by Allen Say. The book was published by Houghton Mifflin in 1993. This is a true story about Allen Say’s grandfather and his journeys back and forth between Japan and the United States. Allen Say does a wonderful job of depicting both countries in a positive way and demonstrates how someone can have love for two different places. He explains the cross-cultural experiences that his grandfather went through, and how he always enjoyed the country h
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Dec 08, 2011
Nicole
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Breathtaking, gorgeous illustrations entwined with a deep and poignant story, based on Say's grandfather who struggled to decide between the two beloved cultures of his life; Japanese and American. His grandfather explores America and he falls in love with the beauty of it, eventually settling down to build a life. Years later, he grows homesick and returns to Japan, where he yearns the same way, for America again. A strongly told story about the possibilites of life and love. I enjoy Say's sim
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Sep 29, 2009
(NS) Becca
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Sep 09, 2011
Sarah-Rae
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I found this book a little morose, but it had a sparkle of hope at the end. It made me rather melancholy to see that the Grandfather never made it back to America, but it was heartwarming to see that his grandson was able to witness the majestic sights his grandfather saw. For some reason I feel that this book is a tad bit too serious to read to school children. But if it is read to children, I feel that it can inspire them to go out into the world and explore. They can go find out where their g
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Feb 14, 2011
Fenixbird
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1994 CALDECOTT MEDAL MY SYNOPSIS: Recounting treasured memories of his Grandfather’s experiences from his journey to America from Japan and back again, Author Say poignantly conveys the feelings of treasure and longing for bygone days which his grandfather felt. It is simplicity & timeless nostalgia at its finest.
THEME: “Perhaps the grass is not always greener, but we will always wish to see for ourselves anyway. Still we must remain true to our roots and our heart.” Gran More...
THEME: “Perhaps the grass is not always greener, but we will always wish to see for ourselves anyway. Still we must remain true to our roots and our heart.” Gran More...
Dec 30, 2009
Sarah-Greenbeanteenqueen
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This was one of my favorite picks in our Caldecott module. I loved Allen Say's illustrations. They truly are beautiful works of art and I felt that each page could easily be a painting hanging in an art museum.
The colors are soft and muted, but the paintings are still powerful in telling the story. The reader sees the beauty grandfather sees as he travels to America and then back to Japan. We understand what he loves about each home and what he misses about one when he is in another.
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The colors are soft and muted, but the paintings are still powerful in telling the story. The reader sees the beauty grandfather sees as he travels to America and then back to Japan. We understand what he loves about each home and what he misses about one when he is in another.
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Jun 04, 2010
Yue
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This is a watercolor picture book; the color of this book is very soft and light, implying a memory of his grandfather’s journey. The dim illustrations give the reader the emotion of blurry memory and the conflicting feelings towards the two countries.
This book records a family’s unique cross-culture experiences. The author’s grandfather loved both cultures; it is a very common feeling for the American minorities. For foreigners in America, they might experience the same type of bic More...
This book records a family’s unique cross-culture experiences. The author’s grandfather loved both cultures; it is a very common feeling for the American minorities. For foreigners in America, they might experience the same type of bic More...
Jan 25, 2009
Lynne
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Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say is another treasure for any multicultural literature collection. Say simply and clearly illuminates the enduring conflict that exists for so many Japanese Americans struggling to find balance between two cultural and value systems. “So I return now and then, when I can not still the longing in my heart. The funny thing is, the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other.”
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Aug 05, 2010
Susan
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Course evaluation:
Personal Response: This is a lovely picture book, with a strong message on understanding our family and relating to their experiences. I particularly enjoyed the quiet tone of the illustrations and excitement conveyed during the grandfather’s explorations in America.
Evaluation: Say uses white space on each page to make every illustration look like a portrait; most of the images look like captioned paintings. This invokes a sense of history and intimacy, almo More...
Personal Response: This is a lovely picture book, with a strong message on understanding our family and relating to their experiences. I particularly enjoyed the quiet tone of the illustrations and excitement conveyed during the grandfather’s explorations in America.
Evaluation: Say uses white space on each page to make every illustration look like a portrait; most of the images look like captioned paintings. This invokes a sense of history and intimacy, almo More...
