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Grandpa Green | March 2, 2016

by Lane Smith (Roaring Book Press / Macmillan, August 2011)

In Lane Smith’s Grandpa Green, a young boy tells the story of his great-grandfather—a story that is beautifully brought to life through Grandpa Green’s garden. From Grandpa Green’s childhood days on to farm, to his time at war, to raising his family, and to his enormous garden filled with topiary trees in all shapes and sizes, readers go on a short journey through a life long-lived. All of this leads up to an impressive gate-fold that shows off the garden and the wide scope of Grandpa Green’s life.

What’s so fascinating about this story is Smith’s ability to capture a life’s story in only so many pages, and through such an ethereal metaphor as the garden. The garden itself is the perfect space for adventures and exploration, and the story, though quiet, capitalizes on the setting’s potential. There’s a certain sense of whimsy about the illustrations, too, that beg a passing comparison to Wonderland. In the end, Smith leaves readers on something of a bittersweet note (you’ll have to read for yourself), but a poignant one that will resonate with readers. This is a thoughtful examination of life and aging for younger readers and their older family members to enjoy.