"Grandfather's Journey" chronicles the life of a man who really claims two countries as his own: Japan and the United States. As a young man, he travels througout America, finally settling in California after bringing his bride from Japan. When he returns to Japan, WWII breaks out, and he settles in Japan while still dreaming of California. Eventually, his grandson carries on the tradition by moving to California, but always thinking of his home in Japan.
This is a touching story of the legacy that grandparents leave, and it also conveys the wistful longing to be in two places at once because each is one's home. The illustrations are realistic, conveying the character of the people represented, and the color shifts as the mood of the book shifts. ( )

This picture book memoire tells the story of the author's grandfather and his lifelong journeys. The grandfather leaves Japan as a young boy to see the world. He goes to America and explores all the sights. His favorite place is the California coast. When he returns to Japan, he marries his childhood sweetheart and he takes her to live in his California home. All his life, the Grandfather is torn between his two homes. When he is in Japan, he misses California, and when he is in California, he misses Japan. ( )

This is a story about Allen Say's grandfather, a Japenese immigrant, and his journey to America. It explains what drew him to California, the sunlight, mountains and the seacoast. He married and had a daughter. He started missing his homeland and decided to take his family and return to Japan. His daughter grew up, got married and had a child of her own (Allen Say). Allen loved hearing his grandfather's stories about California, so he decided to go and visit California himself. He too loved it for the same reasons. The cycle continued, he too had a daughter and he started missing his homeland of Japan. He realized that once he was in one country he was homesick for the other.

This book is good for kindergarten to third grade. It helps children relate their families and cultures to the grandfathers. It also relates the history of WWII to the history of grandfather's home in Japan.

Quality:
This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the story of a Japanese-American family with roots in both countries. The measured pace, spare text, and serene watercolor illustrations capture Grandfather’s bittersweet longing for both the land of his birth, and the land where spent much of his life.

Potential Use:
At first glance, the contemplative pacing and static illustrations of Grandfather’s Journey make it seem like a read-alone book, but the large pages, simple words and large, clear, serif typeset make it a pleasure to read aloud, and a pleasure to hear.

Child Appeal:
This book might be a tough sell to younger children used to flashier colors and faster pacing, but the calm rhythm of the prose and the beauty of the illustrations might make this book a favorite for quiet times. ( )