A review by jessiquie
Dear Grandpa by Kate Simpson
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