An Artsy Object Lesson In Transportation At The Turn Of The Century
Written: Jan 20 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Simple text, beautiful watercolor artwork, historical value, thought-provoking
Cons: None that I recall
The Bottom Line: An excellent read-aloud, good for discussion, hidden educational value, child-friendly artwork. A must-share.
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| daphnec's Full Review: I Go with My Family to Grandma's |
If you've never read the story, I Go With My Family to Grandma's to your young child, you're both in for a treat. Riki Levinson, along with illustrator Diane Goode, have captured the sweetness of early childhood, and the old-world charm of early twentieth century New York.
Each delicate watercolor image is captioned by a little girl who introduces herself. "My name is Millie, and I live in Manhattan. I go with my family on a red and yellow bicycle to Grandma's." We see Millie and her family, coordinated in Sunday best, sandwiched onto a tandem bike, an old-time apartment building in the background. Moments later, delighted grandparents embrace the little darlings.
Bella and her family, from Brooklyn, clad in kelly green, step onto a golden trolley, bound for Grandma's. Carrie from Queens arrives with her family in a white wagon, as do Beatie and her folks from the Bronx (two trains), and Stella and company from Staten Island (car to ferry) to Grandma's. You've probably figured out by now that the girls are cousins, all headed to the same grandparents' house.
This very brief, potentially trite little story becomes a winner due, not only to the richness of the artwork, but because small children will ask questions that could lead to hours of (relatively) deep conversation about the way people used to dress, used to travel, used to live. About the vastness of New York City, the diversities that exist within an extended family. Colors, numbers, sets. Family traditions. The list goes on. The story is also simply stated, such that an emergent reader could soon read for himself, a pre-reader could probably memorize it, read it herself.
I first encountered this story twice in the same school year. Our reading program, Open Court, featured the story in big book format, along with a read-aloud tape (player piano in the background, taking me back several decades, to my Grandfather's childhood). The kick-off story to the Transportation Unit, I Go With My Family To Grandma's quickly became a class favorite, two years in a row. The children especially enjoyed the family portrait at the end. Of course, everyone had a family-visit-story to tell (great for writing projects). Surprise, surprise, the same story appeared in our first grade social studies book.
I'd suggest playing background music, something lilting and 20's, as for me, the mere mention of the story automatically brings to mind the echoing, waltz-like player piano music of our orange audio tape.
You'd be surprised how long a memory lasts. Share this story with a child. Share your memories. Share I Go With My Family To Grandma's. I did. I still do. Gladly.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
daphnec
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Location: El Segundo, CA
Reviews written: 71
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
Teacher, married, mother of four
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