Janna and the Kings

by Patricia Smith, Aaron Boyd

Saturdays are special for Janna. That’s when she and Granddaddy spend the whole day together. Walking down the street with Granddaddy is like strolling through a kingdom with a king. He knows everyone and everyone knows him. Best of all, Granddaddy and Janna always head for her favorite place in the world—Terrell’s barbershop. There, Granddaddy and his friends are kings in barber chair thrones, and Janna is a princess, showered with love and attention. One day Granddaddy passes away, and Janna feels she has lost their wonderful kingdom forever. But with great courage and some unexpected help, Janna finds her way back to the happiness of those special Saturdays. Winner of LEE & LOW’s New Voices Award, JANNA AND THE KINGS is a moving story of love and rediscovery, and a celebration of the enduring bond between grandchild and grandparent.

Genres: Picture Books, Grief

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[Caycee Hatchette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personal reaction: I really liked this book. I was able to relate to it and I'm sure that students would be able to as well.

I would read this book to second or third graders because I think some of the concepts are a little deeper than what grades younger are privy to. I noticed that the author used figurative language when describing characters. For example, the first time we are introduced to the little girl's grandpa, he is described his arms and legs as skinny as pick-up sticks, and described his hair looking like cotton candy snow. I think the use of figurative language helps the readers to see, clearly, what exactly the author is wanting us to see. The vocabulary is pretty basic but what it lacks in word choice, it makes up for in figurative language. The illustrations are also bright and colorful and fill both pages. I think that the illustrations help put to life the way the figurative language described the grandpa and they also did a good job of showing the story in detail. I would read this book for enjoyment, really. It's a good story to show the bond of family and how family is always important.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this for my kids, because a quality kids' book is to be purchased and treasured and there are never enough of them. I love that the loss is not a manufactured Disney-esque conflict to be fixed. It is a real life loss that can never be fixed but can be integrated. I love that it is about connection of a girl to her grandpa. Just as "black lives matter" does not imply that white lives don't, stories of dads and grandpas don't imply moms and grandmas are unimportant. And just like that, the stories of dads and grandpas need to be told, because they do matter. You will find here all the power and beauty of Smith's poetry publications, distilled into a beautiful story for kids.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I am weeding and a book makes me cry while on desk, I keep it. This is the sweetest picture book about a girl, her grandfather, and their community. Excellent intergenerational friendship story. Highly recommended for ages 7-10.

[Cassaundra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great picture book for older children (grades 3-6). It is a beautiful story about Janna's friendship with her grandfather and how she copes with loss.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book about a girls relationship with her grandpa and how she feels after he dies.

[Taylor Horvat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, it was a very touching story about a girl and her grandfather. Although the grandfather ends up passing away, it is an endearing story, and students who have experienced loss could really relate.

I would use this book in a 2nd grade classroom when talking about families or losing a loved one. I am using this book for a lesson plan on dynamic and static characters in a second grade classroom.