My Baba's Garden

by Jordan Scott, Sydney Smith (Illustrator)

The bond between a child and his grandmother grows as they tend her garden together.

A young boy spends his mornings with his beloved Baba, his grandmother. She doesn't speak much English, but they connect through gestures, gardening, eating, and walking to school together. Marked by memories of wartime scarcity, Baba cherishes food, and the boy learns to do the same. Eventually, Baba needs to move in with the boy and his parents, and he has the chance to care for her as she’s always cared for him.

Inspired by memories from poet Jordan Scott’s childhood, with beautiful, dreamlike illustrations by Hans Christian Andersen Award-winning illustrator Sydney Smith, My Baba’s Garden is a deeply personal story that evokes universal emotions. Like Scott and Smith’s previous collaboration I Talk Like a River, winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, My Baba’s Garden lends wistful appreciation to cherished time with family.

A Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book
A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Horn Book Fanfare Book
A Booklist Editors’ Choice
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
An Evanston Public Library Great Book for Kids

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Nature, Gardening, Fiction, Love

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 7, 2023

About the author

Jordan Scott is an internationally acclaimed poet and children’s author.

Scott is also the author of four books of poetry: Silt, Blert, DECOMP, and Night & Ox. Blert, which explores the poetics of stuttering, is the subject of two National Film Board of Canada projects.

Scott was the 2015/16 Ellen and Warren Tallman Writer-in-Residence at Simon Fraser University and has read from his work throughout North America and Europe. In 2018 Scott was the recipient of the Latner Writers’ Trust Poetry Prize, given to a mid-career poet in recognition of a remarkable body of work, and in anticipation of future contributions to Canadian poetry.

Scott lives on Vancouver Island and teaches at the UBC School of Creative Writing.

Reviews

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jordan Scott’s crystalline memory of early childhood, coupled with his poetic gifts, allows him to transmute incredibly specific, intimate moments shared with his loved ones, into something universal. In “My Baba’s Garden”, Scott writes about his special relationship with his Polish grandmother, who didn’t speak English but found a way to profoundly connect with her grandson through little rituals, and physical touch. I got chills when the young Scott asked his baba why worms help the soil, and by way of reply she wet her fingers in the rain, and then traced the lines of his palm.

Sydney Smith meanwhile, has somehow managed to constantly evolve, without ever losing his distinctive style. I can spot his work on the shelf of a bookstore from a mile away. His art makes the reader slow down, feel, and absorb the visual world he has created. You just can’t help but pore over these pages—the grandmother’s face in profile, the worms writhing in the mud, the boy crouched over in the corner of a busy highway in the pouring rain-- I can’t get the images out of my head!

Smith is so good at getting the feeling of a scene or moment across with colour and perspective in his smudgy, rainy palette (he’s a man of sea greens and coal blacks)-- without being photorealistic or intricate (in terms of his linework). I can remember so clearly coming across an illustration of his in "Town is by the Sea", overlooking a sparkling sea—and being struck by how "real" it felt, despite not actually looking that real. He creates scenes that stay with you forever!

Jordan Scott/Sydney Smith are officially my favourite author/illustrator duo in children's picture books (Apologies to Barnett/Klassen). There is something magical in this partnership, and it seems clear to me that Smith is more than a mere illustrator or hired hand, but rather a visual co-author. As Smith said in one interview,

"...there is a special chemistry that happens when I collaborate with other authors. I love the challenge of problem solving and the thrill of risk taking when working with another author’s text. When I write for myself there can be a bit of a feedback loop and I’m never satisfied. There is an extra level of responsibility when working on an author’s text. I want to do as much as I can to honour their work. I think that can bring out my best work I can give."

It’s safe to say that Smith honours the work of Jordan Scott. My Baba's Garden is a simple, quiet, moving work of tender beauty, enhanced by the best illustrator in the business. If I could buy season tickets to purchase everything these two produce, sight unseen, for the next decade, I would. Sign me up! Give me all the Scott/Smith stock you have available, I’m buying!

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

De tuin van mijn Baba. Tekst: Jordan Scott. Illustraties: Sydney Smith. Vertaling: Edward van de Vendel.

Woehoe, een nieuw boek van het top trio (Scott – Smith – van de Vendel) dat ons de parel Ik praat als een rivier gaf. Mijn verwachtingen waren torenhoog en zijn… overtroffen! Dit boek is nóg mooier, ontroerender, hartverwarmender.

In dit verhaal maken we kennis met oma (Baba) en haar kleinzoon. Het verhaal deed me denken aan mijn moemoe, mijn eigen Baba. Hoe ik vaak met haar in de tuin bezig was, de dingen die ze me stilzwijgend vertelde. Mijn liefde voor tuinieren heb ik van haar.

Waar ik mijn liefde voor wormen vandaan heb, geen idee. Maar sinds De tuin van mijn Baba weet ik dat ik niet de enige ben die van deze wonderbaarlijke beestjes houdt. Vaak als ik door de regen fiets zie ik ze op de rijweg kronkelen, ik heb dan altijd de neiging om ze op te rapen zodat ze niet overreden worden. Maar ja, wat doe je dan met die regenworm? Van Baba leerde ik een fijn trucje. Eentje dat ik ook ga toepassen.

Als u binnenkort iemand gebukt naast haar fiets ziet staan terwijl het pijpenstelen regent dan ben ik dat. Dat is wat dit boek met je doet, u weze gewaarschuwd. Magisch mooie verhalen maken een wijzer mens van je. Geniet van deze poëtische parel!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Baba's Garden really hit the sweet spot for me, for reasons both general and personal. The story is about a boy (the author) and his grandmother, a Polish immigrant, who had a very close relationship as a child (and she usually watched him before and after school) despite the language barrier, and they communicate through gardening, cooking, touch, and time spent together. When the grandmother is getting older and unwell, she moves in with his family, which changes everything they can do together, but they find new ways to be together that feel familiar. It's a very sweet and touching story that many children can relate to. I personally related to it. I grew up just up the road from my Slovak immigrant (great-)grandmother's house. She often watched me before and after school, cooked for me in a small room off her barn (not too different from this Baba's adapted chicken coop home), and did extensive and impressive gardening. Her English wasn't good, but we spent a lot of time together, and there was always lots of love, fresh ingredients, and delicious food. This book really reminded me of my childhood and my relationship with her. The illustrations are also lovely. Highly recommended!

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Li a versão portuguesa, da editora Fábula, e que leitura tão comovente e nostálgica foi para mim!!!
Adorei em absoluto!

NOTA - 10/10

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching, atmospheric story of a boy and his Baba, who loves to garden and make tasty meals for her grandson. I felt I'd really like to meet this sweet, worm-rescuing elderly lady with her mysterious songs and love of taking walks.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't get enough of Sydney Smith's exceptional and varied illustrations. As he has in the past, he brings to life a story that may not have been as successful in the hands of another artist. The author recalls this timeless story of his immigrant family member, who may not know the language or customs of her adopted country, but he knows how much she loves her family. In this sense it is relatable to many readers of today.

On the other hand, sometimes I feel that authors take the "write what you know" concept maybe just a little too literally. It's a sweet story, lovingly told, but to me it feels like the recounting is for the author and his contemporaries, rather than for children of today. For that reason, it's a four star book rather than five.

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, soft, quiet, deep. The images envelope you.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful multigenerational story, lovely illustrations and colors.

[Mannon Brandsema · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ik heb hem in het Nederland gelezen. Vind het een mooi boek met hele mooie prenten. Zit een mooie boodschap. Alleen ik weet niet of het voor hele jonge kinderen geschikt is, omdat ik niet zeker weet of ze het snappen. Maar je kan het zeker proberen!

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very evocative language (“My Baba hums like a night full of bugs when she cooks”) and gorgeous illustrations in this one. Beautiful and heart-warming.

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful remembrance of a beloved Baba (grandma) who has obviously endured much and now lives a life cherishing things others take for granted. Evocative illustrations. I'm not sure how interesting young children will find the story, but adults will appreciate the themes of passage of time and honoring of elders.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nope. Very depressing and I didn't like the artwork and how the child is the only one with a clear face.

[ALPHAreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2020 I read author Jordan Scott and illustrator Sydney Smith's debut picture-book together, 'I Talk Like a River' - about a young boy frustrated with his stutter, being taken on a day-trip by his Dad to reconnect with nature and learn to go slow, and take it easy on himself.

That book - beautiful, gentle and empathetic - ended up winning the Schneider Family Book Award, and it has lived in me ever since. It was a perfect picture-book, and all the more powerful for being based on Scott's childhood which he wrote about in a short letter at the back of the book; about how is Dad would pick him up from school on "bad speech days," and how now as an adult he sees his stutter as a beautiful part of himself and how he communicates.

I have been waiting for a second book from the duo ever since, and now it's finally here in 'My Baba's Garden' and it's just as stunning and powerful.

This time in a letter at the start, Scott writes about 'My Baba' - explaining that this tale is also from his own childhood; of a young boy and his Polish grandmother who emigrated to Canada with her husband, the boy's Dziadek, after the terrible World War. The boy would be taken to his Baba's house (a renovated chicken coop beside a freeway) every day and she'd walk him to school; on rainy days being sure to pick up worms the weather scattered on the pavement, to be put to use in her beautiful and lush garden.

The kicker - and connection to 'River' - is that the boy's Baba does not speak English, and he does not speak Polish. They communicate through touch, laughs, facial expressions and little rituals - like kissing food that's fallen on the floor, and then eating it immediately.

This is another beautiful and timeless tale of communication and finding grace in ourselves and each other, the natural world, and little sacred rituals in the ever day to ground and connect us. Sydney Smith's darker illustrations with pops of red and yellow to draw the eye serve the story so beautifully, particularly in the rain-soaked pages where even droplets on windows are captured beautifully.

I hope these two have more books in them, because I absolutely love being floored by the power and art in a story of such big ideas presented so tenderly through a child's lens. These two and their tales are *magical*!

[Maaike de Vries · Rating 5 out of 5]

De tuin van mijn Baba - Jordan Scott & Sydney Smith
Het duo Scott & Smith verraste in 2021 met het indrukwekkende prentenboek Ik praat als een rivier over een jongen die op school niet uit zijn woorden kan komen: hij stottert. Een bijzonder boek vanwege het thema, maar ook vanwege de illustraties die anders dan anders zijn. Vanwege de wat naïeve vlekkerige stijl, alsof een kind het heeft getekend, maar tegelijk zo trefzeker: elke lijn en kleurvlak klopt. Illustrator Sydney Smith maakt gebruik van stripachtige kaders om op een bladzijde meerdere gebeurtenissen te laten zien.

In het nieuwste boek van dit duo komt dezelfde tekenstijl terug. Ook de vertelstijl door middel van beeld komt overeen. Een jongetje gaat elke ochtend naar zijn Baba (zijn oma) voordat hij naar school gaat. Ze communiceren zonder woorden, maar hebben veel contact met elkaar. Ze werken samen in de tuin: Baba verbouwt allerlei groenten die ze overal in huis bewaart. Als de jongen eten uit zijn handen laat vallen pakt Baba het op een heeft er een kus op waarna ze het terug geeft. Terwijl ze naar school lopen, neemt Baba een potje mee waarin ze regenwormen stopt. De regenwormen laat ze daarna los in haar moestuin. Op een dag kan Baba niet meer alleen thuis wonen en komt ze bij haar kleinzoon in huis wonen. De jongen brengt Baba nu elke ochtend een ontbijt van havermout met appel. Hij geeft een kus op de appel voordat zij het in haar mond stopt. Zo’n intens liefdevolle daad. En daarna loopt de jongen naar buiten in de regen om regenwormen te zoeken.

Een ontroerende ode aan de band tussen oma en kleinzoon. Met weinig woorden weet Jordan Scott te vertellen hoe hun band is ontstaan. Maar het hele verhaal wordt verteld door de illustraties. De liefde spat van de pagina’s af. Net als in Ik praat als een rivier gaat het over communicatie, contact. Ook al spreekt Baba niet dezelfde taal als haar kleinzoon (Jordan Scott licht aan het eind van het boek toe dat het gebaseerd is op zijn oma, die uit Polen kwam en in Canada geen Engels leerde spreken), toch hebben ze een diepe band.

Een schitterend prentenboek dat je niet onberoerd laat! Net verschenen bij Querido uitgeverij.

[giulia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Babushka, cioè mia nonna, era nata in Polonia, dove, durante la seconda guerra mondiale, lei e la famiglia avevano sofferto molto.
Dopo la guerra era emigrata in Canada e si era stabilita nella cittadina costiera di Port Moody, nella Columbia Britannica, insieme a mio Dziadek (nonno). Abitavano insieme in un pollaio ristrutturato, alle spalle di una miniera di zolfo, non lontano dall'autostrada Barnet. Mio Dziadek costruiva strade ferrate mentre Babushka faceva le pulizie nelle case.
Quando io sono venuto al mondo, mio Dziadek era già morto. Babushka viveva da sola nel pollaio ed è li che abbiamo passato la gran parte del tempo insieme. Lei non parlava inglese molto bene, perciò per lo più comunicavamo con gesti, toccandoci e ridendo. Comunicavamo anche con il condiviso amore per il cibo. Quando ero molto piccolo avevo già capito che alcuni suoi modi di fare erano molto strani. Teneva i rimasugli delle saponette sotto al lavello finché ne aveva abbastanza per formare una nuova saponetta. Metteva da parte riserve di cibo in tutta la casa, riempiendo tutti gli spazi possibili.
Quando mi capitava di far cadere del cibo per terra, Babushka si precipitava a raccoglierlo, lo baciava e me lo ridava.
Poi mi guardava mangiarlo e diceva: «Mangia! Tu bambino troppo magro!».
A volte, quando diceva così, rideva; altre volte, piangeva.
Babushka adorava i lombrichi. Ogni mattina, oppure dopo un temporale, mi portava fuori a cercarli sui marciapiedi e lungo le cunette. Poi, insieme, liberavamo i lombrichi nel suo orto rigoglioso. Babushka cercava di spiegarmi perché lo faceva intingendo il dito nell'acqua piovana e seguendo le linee sul palmo della mano.
In quel modo mi diceva che quando i lombrichi scavano aiutano l'umidità e l'aria a penetrare nella terra e l'arricchiscono di nutrienti.
Ormai sono grande, ma continuo ancora a raccogliere lombrichi.
Anche i miei figli lo fanno.
Babushka ne andrebbe molto fiera.
J. S.

[Chantel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The delicate memories of childhood, sometimes hidden or darkened with age, have been given the opportunity to come alive on the pages of this book. I have found Scott to be a phenomenal storyteller since I was first exposed to his work. He wonders with his ability to alleviate the weight of memory on the soul; maneuvering it alongside art that guides the reader to sensations of nostalgia & bliss.

This particular book welcomes readers into a specific time in the life of a young child as their life begins to change. We have all had those moments, more times than we can probably count, yet it’s a complication to go so far into the past. With warm stovetops heating the house of his Baba, the young protagonist wanders under raindrops & over the wiggling bodies of worms on cement to tell us the story of how things changed.

What I find most memorable about this story is how easy it was for me to become immersed in the story while allowing the illustrations by Sydney Smith to weave me back to a time when I wandered under raindrops waiting for my warm bowls of tomato soup near the special chairs where my own grandparents sat.

It is truly a talent unmatched that upheaves the mind of the adult—one that is on guard & poised—back to a time when life was new when the weather felt large, the roadways river beasts looming as titans alongside us, all the while never alerting the reader to the journey. I appreciated that very much.

Though this is a story that young readers might appreciate, I think that veteran readers might find a tenderness waiting for them, specifically, in the gloom of the dark shades; moments they haven’t revisited in many moons, for whatever reason.

Thank you to Edelweiss+, Neal Porter Books, & Jordan Scott for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young boy has breakfast every day with his Baba and then she walks him to school. His memories are small moments of their lives that beautifully capture the richness of their relationship and a remarkable understanding of the personalities. The boy's Baba has lived through difficult times and through her actions readers see a tender woman who values life and nature. They don't talk much but her actions convey much. A spilled bite of oatmeal is carefully returned, worms are collected on a rainy walk and carefully placed in the garden and her hand caresses the boy's cheek. Each illustration is a captured moment of love between the two.

When the woman has to leave her home and move in with the family, the boy returns the simple gestures, the small gifts of love and attention, carrying on what he has been shown.

Spare but beautiful poetry pair with equally beautiful illustrations in another creative collaboration between Jordan Scott and Sidney Smith. By focusing on the small actions, the book masterfully provides a piercingly evocative understanding of the love between the boy and his grandmother. Brilliantly done and deserves repeat and carefully time with each page.

This is a book for all ages and young readers may need an adult to read and discuss with them the first time through.

[Vera Godley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gentle story of multi-generational love and caring. The Baba (grandmother) whose early life was one of deprivation and lack of food, lives simply growing and cooking her own food and does so in abundance. She helps care for her grandson. Through her actions she demonstrates her way of life and how she tends her garden and cooks the food she grows. She even captures earthworms on rainy days and places them in her garden. This demonstrates a care for the little things that make a garden grow.

As she ages and needs to be removed from her own home, she goes to live with her family. Her grandson returns much of the love and tenderness to her that she has previously bestowed on him.

A sweet tender story that is lovely and beautifully told.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[L.ivresse.des.mots · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coup au cœur

Une relation qui se passe de mots pour parler de la transmission entre deux êtres construisant leur propre langage. L’atmosphère en dit long par le biais des couleurs et de la poésie d’un dessin toujours enrichi
d’une parole intime.

Une complicité naîtra au sein même du jardin. Le voyage propose dans la quiétude d’un foyer, l’importance de s’accorder du temps. Jusqu’à la fin d’une ère et la perte de nos repères pour dénicher ensemble le sens de nos racines.

À travers les yeux de l’auteur qui se revoit enfant, le prisme est chargé de détails aussi important que la vie apportée par quelque chose d’aussi insignifiant qu’un ver. C’est la magie de dire, sans exprimer, toute la complexité de l’existence. Un champ lexical, qui va au-delà des sentiments et fini par dépasser les frontières.

[TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief summary: Author, Jordan Scott, recalls visiting with his Baba at her home. His father would drop Jordan off to have breakfast with his Baba and afterwards, they would walk together to his school. If it was raining, Baba would look for worms and put them in a glass jar to take home for her garden.

His baba would retrieve him after school, and they would spend time in her garden learning about the plants. This is their usual routine until she moves in with the family when a new building is built over her home. Not able to have a full garden any longer, she keeps a little garden in her room.

Told through the first-person point of view by the boy.

Jordan Scott wrote one of the most lovely book dedications I've ever read.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lovely picture book, based on the author's personal relationship with his grandmother, tells the story of a child's relationship with his Baba. Although the grandmother doesn't speak much English, it is clear to the boy that he is dearly loved by her. Cooking and gardening are a big part of their shared experiences and worms play an important role in this story. A beautiful story that lovingly honors the grandparent / grandchild relationship.

"Every morning she watches me eat.

Sometimes I spill some. My Baba quickly picks it up.
She kisses the oatmeal, puts it back into my bowl, and gently squeezes my cheeks.

My mom says that my Baba didn't have much food for a long, long time. I eat everything in the swimming-pool bowl . . . "

[Paul Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across My Baba's Garden by Jordan Scott while scanning the display kiosk at my local library. It's a fine children's book. I make it a point to break up the routine of reading heavy non-fiction or fiction works with the occasional children's book. In this case, My Baba's Garden by Mr. Scott is a charming book with an endearing message. A young man recounts his daily visits to his grandmother--his beloved Baba. He recalls the daily visits with her when she was boiling potatoes, tending to her precious vegetable garden. They would both enjoy wonderful meals with veggies from her garden. Hopefully, many of us can recall these visits to our grandparents from our childhood. They are precious and irreplaceable. Mr. Scott has captured those moments. I also want to acknowledge the warm illustrations provided by Sydney Smith. They evoke powerful memories for anyone who was lucky to spend time with their grandparents. I highly recommend this book. It's gentle, inviting and sentimental. This book is also available in accessible formats from the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) in Canada and Bookshare in the United States.

[Christy Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Baba's Garden was a sweet book of reminisces of a young boy and his grandmother. The Eastern European grandmother has a garden and doesn't speak English but communicates the importance of growing food (out of her own past scarcity) and finding the earthworms to help things along to the boy. When she can no longer live in her home, she comes to live with her family.
The pictures are simple and rounded and despite the photo on the cover, all are drawn illustrations that feel appropriate for the emotion of the story. This is a story of connections rather than action and conveys the love of grandson and grandmother.

[Nick Kolhek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ik heb nog nooit een boek gelezen van Jordan Scott. Maar toen dit boek afgelopen juni werd bekroond met een zilveren griffel, wist ik dat ik dit boek wil lezen. Zeker nadat dit boek werd gepromoot door een klasgenoot!

‘De tuin van mijn Baba’ gaat over een jongen die elke dag voor school naar haar baba gaat, Pools voor oma. Oma heeft bijzondere rituelen en woont in een prachtig huis met een mooie grote tuin.

Een prachtig verhaal die soms wat poëtisch nijgt! Wel merk ik dat het vertaald is én dat heb ik juist nooit gehad bij vertaalde boeken van Edward van de Vendel. Daarnaast greep het verhaal mij niet helemaal, misschien was dat de woordkeus van de auteur.

[Sheniya Goldston · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Baba’s Garden by Jordan Scott is a heartfelt and soul-touching story of a grandmother and grandsons relationship.Using the themes of love, resilience, and cultural heritage the young narrator tells us of how his Baba tended to the garden. The poetic language makes every moment feel more in depth, and the sensory descriptions make you feel really immersed it the story. This story encourages young readers to love their elders and cherish their families traditions. This is a beautiful story about the importances of familial relationships with elders and the significance of carrying on traditions.

[Libby Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jordan Scott and Sydney Smith are a dream team in the world of picture book creation. Their work is so personal, so relatable, and so, so powerful.

In this book, Scott writes of his memories surrounding his Baba, his Polish grandmother. She cared for him in her small home that was once a chicken coop before and after school. Though they were unable to connect through language, Scott’s understanding of what was important to his Baba was very clear.

Utterly poignant, this picture book sparks feelings about family, legacy, loss, and change in a very special way.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young boy visits his grandmother daily. She lives in a converted chicken coop next to a highway, behind a sulfur mill. She has food tucked away all over her house. That's because there was a time in her life when she didn't have much food at all. She walks him to school everyday and they pick up worms for garden. Eventually she moves in with his family and her chicken coop home is gone; destroyed to make room for a high-rise. And now he can care for her.

Such a beautiful story that comes full circle.

[Zan Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired by memories of his childhood, Jordan Scott's My Baba's Garden explores the sights, sounds, and smells experienced by a child spending time with their beloved grandmother (Baba), with special attention to the time they spent helping her tend her garden, searching for worms to keep it healthy. He visits her every day and finds her hidden in the steam of boiling potatoes, a hand holding a beet, a leg opening a cupboard, an elbow closing the fridge, humming like a night full of bugs when she cooks." --

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as an adult reader for the AR Diamond Book Award. I really enjoyed the story overall and I especially loved the "My Baba" story at the beginning of the book. So beautiful. I didn't love the illustrations. It was almost as if the illustrator was squinting the entire time he/she created it. The illustrations are very blurry throughout, but how I wish they'd have been clear. I enjoyed the book overall, but I'm not sure a child would share the same interest or enjoyment. It is beautiful yet a bit sad.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this intergenerational story, a boy learns how to appreciate his eccentric grandmother and bridge their language gap by communicating heart to heart through gesture, touch, and laughter. With compassion, he also helps her deal with the changes brought on by the passage of time, such as the loss of her home and the decline of her health. Poignant illustrations show how love softens even the hardest of life’s blows.