Grandpa Green by Lane Smith

 

 

Title: Grandpa Green

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Author/Illustrator: Lane Smith

Major awards: Caldecott Honor 

Age group: K-4

Summary: 

This Caldecott Medal book is about a young boy's story about his great-grandpa. Throughout the book, the grandpa's life is told through a garden. There are different garden sculptures that illustrate important themes from the grandpa's past. We learn that the grandpa is now very old, and he can't remember everything. In the end, there is an illustration of his entire garden. The garden itself, remembers everything for him. 

Why would I use this book in the classroom: 

As a future educator, I'd use this book in my classroom to teach my students about family. It is a touching story, that will resonate with readers. Students will get an idea, on how older generations have lived. Their lives are a story of their own. 

Appropriate grade level:

I think an appropriate grade level for this book is K-4. Students will be able to relate to the young boy. The pictures in this book are beautiful. Students will be able to translate the illustrations and relate the great-grandpa's life. 

Ideas for unit of study to include the book in and how you might use the book in the classroom:

• Language Arts/Art: I would use this book to lead an activity where students draw their own garden! The garden will tell the story of their lives.