21FA-LS-5653 - Asian Pacific American Literature: Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say
"The funny thing is, the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other."
Bibliography:
Say, Allen. 1993. Grandfather's Journey. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: 9780395570357
Plot Summary:
In vibrant watercolor illustrations, Allen Say reminiscences about his grandfather's journey from Japan to America. As Allen's grandfather travels to America for the first time, he falls in love with the California coast and all that the country has to offer. After returning to his village shortly to marry his childhood sweetheart, they move to San Francisco to begin their life together. Years go by, their children grow older, and Allen's grandfather longs to return to Japan once again. But, as soon as he is in his village in Japan, he can't help but miss the California mountains. When Allen is old enough to visit America, he finally understands why his grandfather's heart belonged to both homes.
Critical Analysis:
Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say is a gorgeously illustrated historical picture book about the author's account of his grandfather's life in Japan and America. Say's depiction of his grandfather's journey is authentic and accurate. In his watercolor illustrations, he paints fine details with vibrant colors to emphasize the story. The character's physical characteristics are appropriate to the time period and culture. At the beginning of the story, readers can see the grandfather's traditional Japanese garment and the transition to European clothing when he travels to America. Readers will especially love how realistic each illustration appears, down to the threading of a red cardigan, the pink and purple hues outlining North American deserts, and the ocean softly contrasting against the California mountain range.
Allen Say's portrayal of his grandfather's journey is rich in cultural details as well. In simplistic storytelling, readers sense the grandfather's excitement when experiencing America for the first time and his great longing to be in both places at once. There are no Japanese words to interpret in the story, but the elaborate illustrations depict Japanese culture perfectly. For instance, there are portraits of characters dressed in traditional silk robes kneeling on rugs and a young soldier in uniform that is accurate to the historical time of Japan. The story also almost has a poetic undertone to the narrative as the book ends the same way it started with Allen Say's personal experience of finally visiting California himself after hearing so many of his grandfather's memories:
Overall, Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say is stunning in both illustration and story. Readers will experience the bittersweet feeling of being in a place that is loved while greatly missing another. Children will especially love the connection between Allen Say and his grandfather and their shared love for Japan and America; they will also be reminded of their own grandparent's journey of migration. This picture book needs to be in every collection for authentic children's literature.
Awards and Reviews:
- 1993 Best Illustrated Children's Books
- 1994 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Picture Book
- 1994 Caldecott Medal
From Publishers Weekly, "The tranquility of the art and the powerfully controlled prose underscore the profundity of Say's themes, investing the final line with an abiding, aching pathos: 'The funny thing is, the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other.'"
From The Horn Book, "The immigrant experience has rarely been so poignantly evoked."
Connections:
Discussion: Invite patrons or students to discuss if they have ever lived in another place. Where did they live and what do they miss about it? Are they old enough to remember their old home? Do their parents and grandparents share stories about missing other countries? Encourage the children to share where their family is from.
Activity: In Grandfather's Journey, Allen's grandfather travels to America by steamship. Print and cut out steamship illustrations that the children can color. When they are finished, write down the child's hometown or country of origin on the ship and hang it up in the library or classroom.
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