"Grandma's lips move. "Ah ... one and a half cups of hot
water, wasn't it? And oh, the book ... the book! It had so
many beautiful pictures of birds ... You looked and
looked ...."
It's been too long since I last read a book by Allen Say. This new book about a grandson and his grandmother is a heartfelt story of family love. A young boy stops at his grandma's house on his way home from school. Noticing the front door is open, he calls out to let her know. From the backyard his mother asks him to visit with his grandma, while she looks for the cat that is somewhere outside.
Entering the house, his grandma invites him to have tea. As he moves toward the kitchen, he notices a small white box. He takes it with him, and asks her about it. In welcoming him, she calls him Willie; his name is Andy. Responding to her as Grandma upsets her. She explains that she is his kindergarten teacher, Miss Irwin. Not wanting to upset her further, he asks her about the box again.
She is pleased to show him the tiny nest inside, and explain that he (Willie) had made it for her when he was her student. It takes her back to that particular day in class. He was making birds and watching them out the window. She took the class outside to leave a feeder for the hummingbirds. Willie then found a bird book and was consumed by it.
Her memories of that day are so clear, remembering every part of it and the gift Willie gave her. Andy continues with their visit, assuming Willie's identity. It leads to the two making a plan to make nectar together, and to Grandma recognizing Andy in a moment of today's reality.
Using oil paints on cardboards and a soft springlike palette of color, Mr. Say enhances the softness of the telling, while sharing an experience that many families face as a grandparent's memory fades. In an author's note, Allen Say tells readers that this story is based on his daughter's kindergarten teacher, and her ability to inspire the joy of discovery in her students' lives.
So lovely ...
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