babyleo's review
4.0
This review was published on Lost in a Good Book
This is a great story about families who live far apart but can still have meaningful and connected lives. We learn about Grandpa and Henry through their letters to one another – the content of which explores facts Henry’s learning and we learn about where he lives and what he has been doing as he recounts it to his grandpa.
Simpson shows us that Henry is loving and likes to share fun facts with his grandpa while Grandpa is supportive of his affection and adds his own fun to the letters as well. Telling these things in a letter to his grandpa is sweet and it shows the fun whimsical relationship the pair have.
Ghosh’s illustrations are a beautiful addition. The letters between Grandpa and Henry take centre stage but around them Ghosh has created stunning illustrations about their content with everything from a picture of Henry’s new neighbourhood to a beautiful two page spread of blue whales and Grandpa floating through the milky way. What I love about these illustrations is Ghosh alternates between Henry’s life and the real world and Grandpa’s exaggerations.
The symmetry between the start and end of the narrative is clever and I loved how it created a nice frame not only story wise, but by creating similar emotions that we experienced at the start but which have evolved as we’ve read the story.
This is a beautiful story about missing family but still being able to connect with them and share your lives with them. The relationship comes across the page as you go back and forth between the pair, Simpson capturing the light but deep connection between grandfather and grandson remarkably well. There is a lot said in these pages and even through the most innocent and whimsical interactions it tells so much.
This is a great story about families who live far apart but can still have meaningful and connected lives. We learn about Grandpa and Henry through their letters to one another – the content of which explores facts Henry’s learning and we learn about where he lives and what he has been doing as he recounts it to his grandpa.
Simpson shows us that Henry is loving and likes to share fun facts with his grandpa while Grandpa is supportive of his affection and adds his own fun to the letters as well. Telling these things in a letter to his grandpa is sweet and it shows the fun whimsical relationship the pair have.
Ghosh’s illustrations are a beautiful addition. The letters between Grandpa and Henry take centre stage but around them Ghosh has created stunning illustrations about their content with everything from a picture of Henry’s new neighbourhood to a beautiful two page spread of blue whales and Grandpa floating through the milky way. What I love about these illustrations is Ghosh alternates between Henry’s life and the real world and Grandpa’s exaggerations.
The symmetry between the start and end of the narrative is clever and I loved how it created a nice frame not only story wise, but by creating similar emotions that we experienced at the start but which have evolved as we’ve read the story.
This is a beautiful story about missing family but still being able to connect with them and share your lives with them. The relationship comes across the page as you go back and forth between the pair, Simpson capturing the light but deep connection between grandfather and grandson remarkably well. There is a lot said in these pages and even through the most innocent and whimsical interactions it tells so much.
jessiquie's review
5.0
Dear Grandpa by Kate Simpson and illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh is a love letter to the relationships kids share with their Grandparents. It is heartwarming; packed full of so much emotion, love and care that this is bound to be a family feel-good favourite.
This book ... man this book is beautiful ... I was teary by the end of it.
Dear Grandpa is a narrative made of facts and love, as a Grandpa and his Grandson talk through letters about how much they miss each other and the clever ways they could reach each other. It's simplicity is beautiful, creative and just so damn good.
Simpson's narrative is told through a series of letters between a young boy and his Grandpa. The letters initially start after the young boy moves to the big city (Sydney). His first letter is full of facts, and a desperation for his Grandpa to know where he is and random points of interest that might entice him to come and see/visit him earlier. There is a sense of fear, longing and devotion in this letter that is just so heartfelt that you can't help but read more.
As the child and his Grandpa exchange letters, the pair concoct and debunk each others outlandish plans to visits (via catching a ride with whales and goodnight kisses sent on shooting stars), random facts shared and reciprocated as the pair learn to live apart while maintaining their close relationship. Dear Grandpa is thus a very personal and deep narrative that is sure to resonate in the hearts of readers all over the world.
Ghosh's illustrations are magnificent. Where Simpson's text is the letters sent between child and Grandpa, Ghosh's illustrations are the physical letters (the text is presented as a letter) coming to life. We get to see on every double-page spread the pair's visions and discussions coming to fruition and what growing as tall as Giraffe, and counting all the stars in the Milk Way could look like. The images are highly imaginative, but so real, and sparse allowing the reader to focus on the connection and relationship of the pair.
I loved everything about this picture book.
Dear Grandpa would make the ideal gift for a child to give their Grandpa on Father's Day, or just a perfect story to share with family and friends. It's feel-good, family fun at it's best.
Dear Grandpa was a Noteable (longlisted) for the 2020 CBCA Picture book of the Year award.
This review was originally posted at The Never Ending Bookshelf on the 27th June 2020 and can be found here: https://wp.me/p3yY1u-2jE
This book ... man this book is beautiful ... I was teary by the end of it.
Dear Grandpa is a narrative made of facts and love, as a Grandpa and his Grandson talk through letters about how much they miss each other and the clever ways they could reach each other. It's simplicity is beautiful, creative and just so damn good.
Simpson's narrative is told through a series of letters between a young boy and his Grandpa. The letters initially start after the young boy moves to the big city (Sydney). His first letter is full of facts, and a desperation for his Grandpa to know where he is and random points of interest that might entice him to come and see/visit him earlier. There is a sense of fear, longing and devotion in this letter that is just so heartfelt that you can't help but read more.
As the child and his Grandpa exchange letters, the pair concoct and debunk each others outlandish plans to visits (via catching a ride with whales and goodnight kisses sent on shooting stars), random facts shared and reciprocated as the pair learn to live apart while maintaining their close relationship. Dear Grandpa is thus a very personal and deep narrative that is sure to resonate in the hearts of readers all over the world.
Ghosh's illustrations are magnificent. Where Simpson's text is the letters sent between child and Grandpa, Ghosh's illustrations are the physical letters (the text is presented as a letter) coming to life. We get to see on every double-page spread the pair's visions and discussions coming to fruition and what growing as tall as Giraffe, and counting all the stars in the Milk Way could look like. The images are highly imaginative, but so real, and sparse allowing the reader to focus on the connection and relationship of the pair.
I loved everything about this picture book.
Dear Grandpa would make the ideal gift for a child to give their Grandpa on Father's Day, or just a perfect story to share with family and friends. It's feel-good, family fun at it's best.
Dear Grandpa was a Noteable (longlisted) for the 2020 CBCA Picture book of the Year award.
This review was originally posted at The Never Ending Bookshelf on the 27th June 2020 and can be found here: https://wp.me/p3yY1u-2jE
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