1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Say, Allen. Grandfather's Journey. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1993. ISBN 0-395-57035-2.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Author Allen Say depicts how his grandfather's identity was split between his love for his homeland in Japan and his adoration for America, particularly California, in this touching autobiographical picture book.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
An older picture book from the early 1990s, Allen Say's work is timeless as an extraordinary visual representation of his grandfather's journey to and travels around the United States. The story and images show the emotions he felt during his decision to immigrate to California. "The more he traveled, the more he longed to see new places, and never thought of returning home" (13).
Say's watercolor images feel as if he based them from pictures from his grandfather's photo albums. He captures real light and color in American sunsets, fields of wheat, and desert rocks. On his trip, as a young man, his grandfather dressed in American clothing, which expresses how important it was to him to fit in culturally. What is cultural assimilation and what are the challenges balancing two cultures for immigrants? This is a narrative that immigrant children in the classroom may understand and identify with in ways that typical American children may not immediately understand. How many children would try to wear the clothing of other cultures when they traveled abroad? Where would such fashion even be available to purchase in their area? Why, in the illustrations, do none of the people smile -- Japanese or American? Is this a shift between days past and the modern era that is plagued with selfies? Did any of the students notice how dressed up Say's family is at all times? Are these photos of special times that warrant dressing up, or does his family dress nicely every day? These are questions that might give children a moment or two to think about more than just how immigrants are people who travel to live in new lands.
The act of discovering another country and falling in love with it while remaining faithful to one's birthplace is a noble theme and shows an influence from grandfather to grandson and the importance of family connection throughout generations. The portrait of Say, as a child, with his grandfather standing on walking stones in a Japanese garden, is touching. Say focuses his text on how his grandfather's oral stories about America inspired him to also make the journey across the Pacific. "When I was a small boy, my favorite weekend was a visit to my grandfather's house. He told me many stories about California" (24). But before Say was able to make his journey he had to experience some major emotional losses. One assumes from the illustration that World War II was a large influence on his childhood. Although he does not call the war by name, he illustrates a total destruction of the city where he lived in Japan by showing children among piles of gray rubble.
At 16, Say went to California, also dressed in American clothing. Say says he feels the same division between Japan and California that his grandfather felt. "The funny thing is, the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other" (31).
This division represents to me something that is missing in today's political understanding of the immigrant experience. To be torn between two physical places is both a positive and a negative. One's understanding of humanity in a global sense is increased through travel and experience in different cultures. But one's sense of home or presence of self might come into question based on life experiences in another place.
In a perfect world, one would not have to choose between the family of origin and the family they create. One would hope in a global world, families would be able to stay together and travel freely to see each other.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S) and AWARDS
Caldecott Medal
Bulletin Blue Ribbon
ALA Notable Book
Boston Globe/Horn Book Award
Booklist Editor's Choice
School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
From School Library Journal
"A personal history of three generations of the author's family that points out the emotions that are common to the immigrant experience."
From Kirkus Reviews
"Lovely, quiet — with a tenderness and warmth new to this fine illustrator's work."
5. CONNECTIONS
It's too often that children are read to and see illustrations without understanding how illustrations are created. In Say's book, he uses watercolors, which are relatively easy for most schools and libraries to come by. This could make a lovely pre-grandparents', mothers' or fathers' day activity. Encourage children to bring a photo of their favorite relative to school (a print out if possible, so it doesn't accidentally get ruined). Talk about the colors in their photographs and have them draw out a replica of the photo on drawing paper and then use watercolors to fill the image. Some might choose to copy the photo completely, others might take a modern approach and use brighter, more vivid colors to express their emotions about the person in the photo. If a photo isn't available, have mirrors in the class, so children can work on self-portraits. These photos will make excellent room decorations and gifts and will allow children much needed creative time in the classroom.
No comments:
Post a Comment