Ojiichan's Gift

Ojiichan (pronounced Oh-JEE-chan) is equivalent to “Granddad” or “Grandpa” in English, the author tells us in a small Japanese glossary at the end of this story. Mayumi van Horton, a mixed race little girl who grew up “halfway around the world,” goes to see her Ojiichan in Japan for two months every summer. When she was born, he built her a garden out of stones and sand, surrounded by bushes and trees. Every summer as she grows up, they tend the garden and share lunch there.

One summer though, everything changed. Ojiichan was now in a wheelchair and could no longer care for his house or the garden. Her parents said Ojiichan had to move, presumably to a care home. Mayumi felt sad, angry, and frustrated, but she came up with a show more plan. She took one of the bento boxes they used for lunches and made a little zen garden inside for her Ojiichan to take with him wherever he went. Mayumi made herself one as well to take back home. Now both she and Ojiichan could relive their time together in the garden whenever they wanted.

Genevieve Simms adds lovely watercolor illustrations to the story that ably reveal Mayumi’s emotional transitions as the story changes.

Evaluation: This story has two kinds of messages for young readers (ages 3-7). One relates to the benefits of a connection with nature, and on taking responsibility for the care of living things (both plant and human). The other is about coping with change and the effects of aging. This is not a sad book, but rather one that offers children a way to “pay forward” the love and nurturing they received when very young, when it is their turn to contribute to care-taking. show less

So heartwarming ❤️. A tale of a grandfather who makes a rock garden behind his home in Japan for when his granddaughter visits in the summer. She loves her time away from the city and with her grandfather, so when she learns he must move because he can no longer care for his house and the rock garden it makes her really upset. But then she gets an idea and decides there’s something she can do for her grandfather that will help both of them carry on their tradition and keep a piece of this special place with them.

That last page really hit my feels. The artwork is also gorgeous throughout, beautiful watercolors with great textures and atmosphere. I particularly love the spread when Ayumi goes back out into the rock garden after show more learning about her grandfather having to leave. show less

"When Mayumi van Horton was born, her grandfather built her a garden.
It sat behind a tidy brown house halfway around the world, and it was unlike any other garden she knew."

Every summer, Mayumi travels to Japan to spend time with Ojiichan and help take care of the garden. But when Ojiichan grows too old to remain in his house alone, Mayumi and her family travel back one last time to help her grandfather move. Sad at the thought that he will have to leave his garden, Mayumi creates a miniature rock garden in a bento box for him. She brings gravel and stones home to create her own, as well.

See also: A Morning with Grandpa by Sylvia Liu; Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina

Gardens are a theme in this Spring’s new releases from Kids Can PRess and rightly so. Spring is the time when we are eagerly planning our gardens and preparing for the coming growing season. Ojiichan’s Gift by Cheri Uegaki and Genevieve Simms is a lovely addition to the collection of garden themed books.

When Mayumi was born her grandfather built her a garden behind his home in Japan and every year Mayumi and her family would fly to Japan to spend the summer with Ojiichan. It was an unusual garden, unlike the ones she saw at home. Mayumi and Ojiichan would spend hours enjoying eachothers company, tending to the garden and sitting in peaceful silence. One summer, everything changes and Ojiichan can no longer tend to the garden he has show more built. Mayumi comes up with a plan so Ojiichan can bring his garden with him to his new home.

A lovely intergenerational story about a grandparents love and a grandchild’s resourcefulness and caring. Cheri Uegaki paints a perfect picture with her words, describing Ojiichan’s garden and the sadness Mayumi experiences realizing it is the last time she will get to spend time in the garden created for her. The beautiful illustrations by Genevieve Simms are a perfect complement to the descriptive words, transporting the reader to Japan and to Mayumi’s garden. There is a unique quality to the grandparent/grandchild relationship. It’s such an important relationship in a young child’s life. So much wisdom is imparted by grandparents and so much safety is found in their love. It’s wonderful how so many authors are creating beautiful stories about grandparents to help explain some of the challenges grandparents face as they age and to remind them how special these people are. Thank you to Kids Can Press for publishing this lovely #OwnVoices story so our children have mirrors and windows to share their own experiences and share in the experiences of others show less

Ojiichan's Gift by Chieri Uegaki & Genevieve Simms tells the story of Mayumi, who visits her grandfather in Japan each summer. When Mayumi was born, her grandfather created a very special garden for her- a Zen rock garden. Mayumi loved her times visiting her grandfather and working the rock garden. Her favourite thing is the sound of the rake through the pebbles. Then comes the summer when Mayumi finds the garden untended. Her grandfather is now wheelchair bound, and has to move. Mayumi finds a way to send the garden with her grandfather, and bring it home with her as well.

I read this with my cubs, and we all enjoyed the touching story. The artwork is just beautiful as well. It was perfect for the story told. This did make me tear up show more later, recalling my own childhood, spent on my grandparents farm. It was a horse farm, but my grandmother always had a garden. As the years went by, the gardens grew smaller, until they simply couldn't work them. I liked that there was a scattering of Japanese throughout. A glossary in back provides definitions. Highly recommended!

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for providing a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review. show less

Hey, drought-tolerant xeriscaping! What a bonus in this time of climate change! Absolutely lovely, heart-warming book. Not all children will 'get' it, but if you do, you can probably sell them on it.

When Mayumi visits her grandfather, she loves spending time with him in his rock garden. When Ojiichan becomes too old to continue living alone, Mayumi has a hard time processing her feelings. She makes a mini version of the rock garden to keep with her.