Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say - Book Report/Review Example

Grandfather’s Journey Allen Say Houghton Mifflin Company, 1993 Grandfather’s Journey; depth in illustration Grandfather’s Journey is an award winningbook about a Japanese-American man recounting the story of his Grandfather’s life and realizing the parallels to his own life. Grandfather is born in Japan, and then goes off to explore the world. He travels and falls in love with North America, specifically California’s Sierra Mountains.(14) He returns to Japan, marries his sweetheart and they return to California where they raise a baby girl. When the girl is nearly grown, they return to Japan. Grandfather constantly and passionately wishes to return to California, but is never able to. The daughter gives birth to a son, who grows and ventures to California where he falls in love with the country. He loves both his country of birth and his new country and through that emotion comes to understand how his Grandfather felt. Is the setting authentic? The dual settings are both very authentic. There is a wealth of information about the “New World” and North America. The book lists and illustrates among others; “Deserts with rocks like enormous sculptures” (8), “endless farm fields” (9), and “huge cities of factories and tall buildings” (10) as well as Grandfather’s reaction to them. I found the illustrations to be of a particular quality which vividly showed both the place and the mood of Grandfather while there. For example, in the “endless farm fields” (9) there is a rich, golden light and Grandfather is facing toward it, with a dreamy expression on his face while in the “huge city” he is hunched over matching the mood of the oppressive looking cityscape. The images of Japan are all serene and relaxed, which would fit the feeling when one is at home and at peace. There are authentic representations of the countryside (20, 21) as well as their home. (22, 25) The illustrator represents each culture without the typical stereotypical scorn. Are the illustrations authentic and non-stereotypical? The illustrations are authentic, representing the cultures in an embracing and non-degrading manner. There are illustrations of authentic Japanese clothing, (4, 21, 25, 27, 28) authentic American clothing, (5, 9, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 30) as well as several examples of traditional Japanese clothing being worn by someone standing next to someone in traditionally American clothing. (23, 24, 29) Notably the wedding picture (23) has a bride in traditional Japanese dress and a groom in a traditionally western suit, this would not be a stereotypical wedding portrait. The most interesting aspect of the illustrations is Grandfather switching between the two types of clothing, beautifully showcasing the theme of the book which is the bridging of two cultures. Grandfather is shown as the same person in either type of clothing, which leads children to believe you cannot judge a person on their clothing, or society’s label. There are no stereotyped illustrations of rice fields, oriental workers, laundries, or restaurants that you would often find in the era the book represents. The illustrations are simply of a man’s family in situations any family might be in. Is the culture accurately portrayed? Both cultures are accurately portrayed in a factual and accepting manner. The wonder and expansion of the New World is shown in the illustrations of the “huge city” (10), the frontier store (12), and the riverboat (13). The culture is represented in the clothing of the people in the illustrations. The calm beauty of Japan is shown in the mountain scene (20), the peaceful gathering (21), and the scene at their home. (22) Each of the illustrations shows an aspect of the locations that is a true representation of a combination of the author’s memories and the truth of the time and place. There are also interesting parallels of the two countries in the mention and illustration of mountains and rivers of both countries and the birds from each country Grandfather keeps. (18, 25) Each country is represented as equal, with excellent attributes to offer. It is easy to see why Grandfather is torn between the two countries. Does the book portray physical diversity? The book does an excellent job of portraying physical diversity with the most notable example being the page illustrated by the frontier store. (12) The text reads; “He met many people along the way. He shook hands with black men and white men, with yellow and red men.” (12) The illustration is a beautiful example of each of these races standing side by side. There are two black men, a Mexican man, Grandfather, as well as three other men of varied but not immediately identifiable enthniticies. The entire group, with exception of one is standing side by side in front of the shop. This is a fair and accurate representation of races in California at the time the book references. There is also a good representation of the Japanese people found on page 21. The illustration is of Grandfather’s “old friends” (21) gathered under a tree in traditional Japanese clothing. This page represents the people of Japan, which the reader may not be as aware of, in an easily identifiable situation. Both examples show their own cultures as well as the differences and similarities between the two. Will children be able to recognize the characters in the text and illustrations? The majority of the book follows the main character, Grandfather throughout his life journey. Each page shows or describes Grandfather in a different situation, which allows the children to recognize one person in many different places at varied times in his life. The fact that the children understand the book is about Grandfather makes it simple to follow him as he is also in each illustration with minor exceptions. Grandfather also raises birds in both countries when he is missing the other country, (18, 25) allowing the children to discover that a person is the same person no matter where they are. The voice and tone of the author also remain constant throughout the book, allowing children to navigate between the two countries with minimal confusion. Character recognition is continuous through the entire text and well supported by the illustrations. . I believe this book to be a superior children’s book in many aspects but most notably by the supporting role the illustrations play in the book. Grandfather’s Journey is a Caldecott medal winner. The Caldecott medal is awarded to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children published that year. The quality of the illustrations in this book is unsurpassable and the illustrations add great depth to an already intriguing story. The theme of bridging two cultures is well represented and explained on a level for children to understand and relate well to. There are numerous examples of both cultures for comparison. It is a book that would be read and enjoyed multiple times in any home, but most notably in homes of dual ethnic descent as they are most likely to relate to Grandfather and the author. Grandfather’s Journey is an intimate look at one family’s constant desire to be in two countries at once, as they belong in both places. Grandfather’s Journey Allen Say Paragraph 1 – Plot summary Paragraph 2 – Is the setting authentic? Paragraph 3 - Are the illustrations authentic and non-stereotypical? Paragraph 4 - Is the culture accurately portrayed? Paragraph 5 - Does the book portray physical diversity? Paragraph 6 - Will children be able to recognize the characters in the text and illustrations? Paragraph 7 - Conclusion Read More