Ojiichan's Gift

by Chieri Uegaki, Genevieve Simms (Illustrator)

Overview

When Mayumi was born, her grandfather created a garden for her. It was unlike any other garden she knew. It had no flowers or vegetables. Instead, Ojiichan made it out of stones: “big ones, little ones and ones in-between.” Every summer, Mayumi visits her grandfather in Japan, and they tend the garden together. Raking the gravel is her favorite part. Afterward, the two of them sit on a bench and enjoy the results of their efforts in happy silence. But then one summer, everything changes. Ojiichan has grown too old to care for his home and the garden. He has to move. Will Mayumi find a way to keep the memory of the garden alive for both of them?

This gentle picture book story will warm children's hearts as it explores a deep intergenerational bond and the passing of knowledge from grandparent to grandchild over time. The lyrical text by Chieri Uegaki and luminous watercolor illustrations by Genevieve Simms beautifully capture the emotional arc of the story, from Mayumi's contentment through her anger and disappointment to, finally, her acceptance. The story focuses on an important connection to nature, particularly as a place for quiet reflection. It contains character education lessons on caring, responsibility, perseverance and initiative. It's also a wonderful way to introduce social studies conversations about family, aging and multiculturalism. Mayumi lives in North America with her Japanese mother and Dutch father, and visits her grandfather in Japan. Some Japanese words are included.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781771389631
Publisher:	Kids Can Press
Publication date:	04/02/2019
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	992,564
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	800L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Chieri Uegaki is the author of Rosie and Buttercup, Suki's Kimono and Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin. Her books have garnered such honors as the 2015 Ezra Jack Keats Book Award. Chieri lives on the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia.

Ojiichan's Gift is the first picture book for award-winning illustrator Genevieve Simms. Her illustration clients include House of Anansi Press, the Walrus and the Boston Globe. Genevieve lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Editorial Reviews

01/21/2019

When Mayumi visits her grandfather in Japan, she helps him tend to his garden of stones (“big ones, little ones and ones in between”) and shrubs. But one year, it’s clear that Ojiichan can no longer tend to his home. As her parents pack up Ojiichan’s belongings, Mayumi angrily kicks a rock in the garden, making a mess. She begins raking the gravel, and “a tiny idea took root.” She makes her grandfather a small rock garden in a bento box and creates one for herself, as well. Simms conveys the tender connection between the two in watercolor art, while Uegaki gingerly explores the strong emotions that accompany a loss and the mementos that can soften grief. Ages 3–7. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

Like a garden, this meticulously composed work will bring readers serenity and joy.—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

... a solid purchase for picture book collections, especially where stories about processing emotions are needed.—School Library Journal

A rewarding Canadian picture book.—Booklist

... lovely ...—The Globe and Mail

... a warm and satisfying story ...—CM Magazine

... a quiet look at traditions, change, and the special relationships between grandparents and children.—Horn Book

... Uegaki gingerly explores the strong emotions that accompany a loss and the mementos that can soften grief.—Publishers Weekly

... vibrant and quietly strong.—Canadian Children's Book News

Young readers will relate to the vivid, bodily ways that the book explores Mayumi's feelings through action.—ABQLA

From the Publisher

04/01/2019

PreS-Gr 2—When Mayumi is born, her grandfather creates a traditional Japanese rock garden for her to enjoy during her bicultural family's summertime visits to Japan. Over time, he teaches her how to tend the intricate landscape and rake the sand into pleasing patterns. As Mayumi grows, her aging grandfather becomes unable to care for his home and the family is faced with the reality that he will have to move to more suitable accommodations. At first, this unwelcome change angers Mayumi. Any reader who has had to adjust to bad news will relate to her furious attempts to move one of the garden's unmovable boulders. Ultimately, she processes her grief by creating a small, portable garden in a box for her grandfather to take to his new home, returning the gesture he made for her so long ago. This tender depiction of the special relationship between a grandparent and grandchild will resonate with young readers and adults alike. Therapeutic without being heavy-handed, Mayumi's story gently reassures us that although we can't always change the outcome, we can ease a difficult transition with compassion and resourcefulness. Beautifully textured watercolor illustrations are at once soft and vivid, adding to the warmth and emotional depth of the story. A brief glossary is included at the end of the book to guide readers through the Japanese terms woven into the text. VERDICT This title is a solid purchase for picture book collections, especially where stories about processing emotions are needed.—Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA

School Library Journal

★ 2019-01-28

A young girl finds a new way to stay connected to her ojiichan, or grandfather.

When Mayumi van Horton was born, her ojiichan in Japan built her a garden. Instead of flowers, "Ojiichan had made the garden out of stones—big ones, little ones and ones in between." The gently flowing narration continues as watercolors illustrate how Mayumi grows between each summer visit with Ojiichan. Mayumi also gains insight as they care for the garden together. As a toddler she learns "that moss on a rock was a gift of time." As a school-aged child she learns "that clipping shrubs to look like clouds was the best of all reasons to prune." But later Mayumi notices that Ojiichan's house, once full of life and luster, is now "dusty and dull" and the garden "left alone." Realizing she is powerless to meet Ojiichan's changing needs, she directs her frustrations on their once fastidiously maintained garden, kicking and "spraying gravel everywhere." Eventually she finds solace in creatively preserving their beloved project, cementing their bond despite the impending transition. Simms' paintings capture the spirit of the quiet yet emotionally layered text, providing colorful patterns atop simple shapes and compositions. The result is an understated story that delivers a powerful message of love. Mayumi is biracial, with a white father and Japanese mother.

Like a garden, this meticulously composed work will bring readers serenity and joy. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews