Friday, August 12, 2016

Grandad’s Island by Benji Davies - ADVISABLE

Davies, Benji Grandad’s Island. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2015. $16.99. Content: G.

Syd loves visiting Grandad, and one day Grandad shows him a secret door in the attic that leads to a ship. Together they sail the ship to a beautiful tropical island, set up a snug shelter, and explore the island. When Syd starts thinking its time to head home, Grandad tells him that he’s decided to stay. Once home, Syd misses Grandad but receives a special message letting him know Grandad is alright. 

This is a wonderful picture book with illustrations that are fun as well as beautiful.  I liked the message at the heart of the book—that even when a loved one is away from us because of distance or death—we can still know they love us and are really never far away. That being said, I do not think most children would understand the message of the story without some prompting and help from an adult, so this book would need to be read together and discussed.

EL (K-3), EL—ADVISABLE. Reviewer: TC

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