Evaluation

I truly love the illustrations in this picture book.  The story actually begins with the illustration on the title page and the images make for a great picture walk prior to reading. The pages are painted as if a child has painted them and almost every page is full of color. I love the color in this story because I think it truly captures how we look at the world when we are a child. We look at every detail in wonder and amazement. In this story, the little girl notices the jars in the kitchen, her grandfather’s harmonica and even the raisin hidden at the bottom of the oatmeal. It isn’t the television or toys that keep her happy but rather the simplicity of the universe and all that is inside.

I think it is clever that the author portrays a situation that can be both “happy and sad.” When I was younger and my parents dropped me off at grandma and grandpa’s house I can remember missing my parents but also hating to leave my grandparents when it was time to go. Some of my happiest childhood memories occurred at my grandparent’s house and I will forever be grateful for the memories we made together. As a teacher, I might discuss the different activities that your students like to do at their grandparent’s house. I might ask my students how they think the illustrator draws his illustrations.  My students could create a hello, goodbye window project where the frame of the window is drawn but the student has to draw what is behind their window. This activity can also be turned into a collage. They may decide to draw the stars or the beach or someone who is special to them. If I am teaching first or second grade I may require my students to write a page or two describing their illustration and why it is special to them. These illustrations and journal entries may be compiled into a classroom book or they can be taken home individually.