My Grandfather's Song

by Phùng Nguyên Quang, Huỳnh Kim Liên

A stunning picture book about a family's connection to their land, their home, and each other--from the creators of My First Day.

Long ago, Grandfather came to a new land. Fish swam in the water, birds chirped in the sky, monkeys played in the trees. And in this wilderness, with his own two hands, Grandfather built a house.

It wasn't easy. But the land gave him what he needed. And it became his home. Decades later, his grandson will have all he a head full of memories, two capable hands, and the heart to appreciate family, nature, and home. This picture book creates a warm symphony of conservation and the sacred bond between grandparent and child, perfect for baby showers, birthdays, and family celebrations.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Nature, Childrens, Aapi, Asian Literature, Animals

40 pages, Hardcover

Published October 17, 2023

About the author

Half of the married book creator duo working together under the pen name KAA, Phùng Nguyên Quang and Huỳnh Kim Liên are two Vietnamese illustrators that mostly do illustrations for children's books. Their illustrations are inspired by the folk culture of Vietnam and Asia.

Reviews

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a stunning book. A love letter to grandparents and legacies, seen and unseen. A love letter to nature and to the sacrifice others made. Honest representation of how the wild lands have been tamed by others....and how the land needs to be respected and honored.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story 4 stars
Art 5 stars

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

A long time ago, a boy's grandfather travels to a new and wild world. While building his home, Grandfather reminds his grandson to listen to the songs of nature. They will help guide him and chase away any lingering anxieties. The land offers them everything they need to survive. They only have to listen to its sounds and melodies to learn. It's humbling to see how the world was before humans built it up. Grandfather sees the beauty in everything around him and understands how each creature works together to survive.

MY GRANDFATHER'S SONG brings us back to our roots and shows children that the world wasn't always built up the way it is now. Back then, the land was wild and it was up to the people to tame it to make a home. The illustrations are stunning with attention to detail to everything. From the water, to the grass, to the fur and scales of animals, the illustrator misses nothing. In the back of the book, the authors explain that this is a tribute to the early inhabitants of Vietnam. They encourage children to talk to their parents and grandparents to learn more about our history. It's something to spike a child's curiosity and remind them how different things used to be.


Final Verdict: I would recommend this to children who are fascinated by history and nature. It makes me think back to the Pocahontas song "Colors of the Wind" with the way nature is described.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sumptuous Adobe Photoshop illustrations filled with blues and greens provide the perfect backdrop for a story [3.5 for me] about a family's journey to a new place and their connection to the land. The story is narrated by a young boy, Ti, who listens to his grandfather's advice and follows his example even though he doesn't always feel strong enough to navigate similar terrain. Once the family arrives at their destination, the grandfather is quick to honor the land and the creatures already living there even while making a home there and reaping some of the bounties from the land and sea. As he shares lessons about being in harmony with the world around them, even during storms, the grandfather sings along with Mother Nature, but he also listens. Eventually, Ti also learns to sing those same songs, knowing that even after Grandfather is gone, his song will remain. One of the notable features of this picture book is how several of the striking double-page spreads feature enormous wild creatures, such as a tiger and a turtle in the background behind the boy and his grandfather. This picture book encourages reflection about humans' place in the natural world as well as our responsibility to others.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful look at the connection between generations and between a family and the land they live on. The backmatter is also fascinating, and I have to note after reading How Birds Sleep I was not expecting to see climate change in this one, and yet it is now such an established reality that here it is again.

There's a Moana-type echo here, between a child and their grandparent and the child and the land. Less adventure, but the vibe resonates.

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher for my honest opinion.

A celebration of the earth, this beautiful book is a lesson from a grandfather to grandchild on all the ways to learn and respect the land, especially if it is unknown. I loved the gorgeous illustrations, the text on how to care for and be cared for by nature. A wonderful book for anyone moving to a new place, Grandparents Day, celebrating Asian American representation, Earth Day, or anything to do with conservation.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this poetically written story based on true events, the reader is introduced to an exploration story that is actually about the settlement of Viet Nam. The reader is reminded that the conditions that early settlers encountered were challenging. It is also a book that celebrates the power of nature and the need for respect. An author's note adds additional insight and information. Christopher Myers writes a letter warning about climate change in a letter included at the end of the book.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are the star of this book, but the narrative is just as strong. The story, of a Grandfather teaching his grandson, Ti, how to adapt to a strange new home filled with dangers and mystery. Grandfather teaches Ti how to sing with the land and understand how people can live in harmony and not as antagonists. This is a lush celebration of the natural world, inspired by the "first pioneers to the south of Vietnam."

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super gorgeous illustrations evoke the lush verdure of Vietnam, and the touching story lyrically depicts a boy’s memories of his grandfather’s lessons about practicing reverence for Mother Nature and learning how to listen to the land and its many voices. Listen, do you hear them too? The illuminating Authors’ Note includes material about Vietnamese culture and the importance of honoring ancestral roots.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

An homage to the first people to settle South Vietnam - moving to a new place can be scary - especially when it is a wilderness. But Ti has his grandfather to show the way and teach him everything he needs to know about this new place.
A beautiful book! I loved all the animal drawings but especially the turtle.
The Author's Note at the end explains a bit more about the book.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous pictures invite extended, close examination, and the poetry of the text invites readers to sit in contemplation with it as well. The overall message is a celebration of the natural world as the first humans entered the landscape, both of its beauty and of its dangers. Not suitable for storytime, this would work for an early elementary unit on ecology or climate change.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork is to die for! This is another great story by this dynamic duo and serves not only as a love letter to the early pioneers of South Vietnam, but also to mother nature and the respect that she is due. If you're looking for a beautiful book that touches on intergenerational relationships, big changes, environmentalism and more, I highly recommend checking this one out.

[Steph]

Turn/Level: 1/3

Grandfather/Grandson, Settling Vietnam, Explore Nature, Death in Family

A beautiful story about the first settlers to Vietnam, and the song they sang with nature, and how it continues.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

"But still the sky is singing. You do not have to shout down the storm. Find its rhythm; sing with it." A beautiful picture book about a Grandfather teaching his grandson to be resilient and observant as they live and work in Vietnam. A very unique book!

[Nichole Stratton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like the intention/message behind this book and the artwork is stunning but I found the storyline/storytelling a bit unsatisfying (which may be due to cultural differences between the authors & myself).

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, powerful, insightful. Read the author's note and the (editorial?) comment first (and again when you're done); I wish that I had. (Always read notes with your children. They are written for a reason!)

"You do not have to shout down the storm. Find its rhythm; sing with it."

[Stefanie Foard · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I read a digital ARC of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet and tender intergenerational story about a life lived close to the land.

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful book honoring the pioneers and land of South Vietnam.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated

[Talia Messina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could look at this artwork all day long. Story wise, I love the sweetness of the grandfather passing the song onto his grandson.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrations 5/5

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

an elementary level picture book about a family's connection to their land

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and lyrical ode to the land and the first settlers in the south of Vietnam. I also love the illustrations

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is stunning. I want to frame every spread and put them on my walls.

[Katherine Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. Illustrations are next level! Lovely story about a boy and his grandfather and the world around us all. ❤️

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

With musical metaphors a grandfather teaches about the new land the family has settled on. Stunning illustrations.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful family and amazing artwork!

[Nanny B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations