Grandpa Green

Grades 2-3 Lane Smith brings us a warm, cross-generational tale with his picture book, Grandpa Green (Roaring Brook Press, 2011).  Our young narrator guides us through "Grandpa Green's" life story through vividly green sculpted bushes.  This story is ripe with historical and literary allusions, many of which come to life in the illustrations themselves.  Adult readers may find their own grandparents and parents within the pages, and could spark a fruitful conversation about older generations with children.  Lane sensitively captures Grandpa's old age, and memory loss in a way that children can understand and acknowledge.  Grandpa's story is on the forefront, in the text as well as in the illustration.  Our narrator is ever present, though his thinly outlined figure, especially in contrast to the lush green sculptures.  Smith creates a wonderful bridge between those who were born long ago ("before computers or cell phones or television"--imagine!) and the reader of today. Highly Recommended, *****