Grandad's Island: Benji Davies

Product Information

Num momento tão dramático como aquele em que atravessamos, em que tantas crianças se veem impedidas de despedir daqueles que partem, este livro pode ser uma forma de abordar o assunto com os mais novos.

In all, Davies has created a honest and touching story that is rich in detail with vibrant illustrations that capture the story perfectly. This could be discussed as a class, small groups or 1:1 about how it can be really, really hard after you say goodbye but it hopefully gets a little easier day by day.Sem nunca os desligar totalmente da realidade da partida da pessoa de quem gostam, explicar que estão num lugar melhor, mesmo que seja uma ilha imaginária, pode tornar todo o processo um pouco mais fácil nas suas cabeças ainda tão jovens. Registered office address: Unit 34 Vulcan House Business Centre, Vulcan Road, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE5 3EF. The boy then journeys back home, a journey which seems all the more difficult and tiresome without his grandfather present. Subtly told, this beautifully illustrated book tackles a difficult subject with great sensitivity and depth.

Sure to provide comfort to young children struggling to understand loss, Benji Davies’s tale is a sensitive and beautiful reminder that our loved ones live on in our memories long after they’re gone. So like I said, when Grandad's Island arrived - and we honestly didn't know much about this book before hand - while reading it I noticed that everything slowly came into place for her and I could see she could understand it that much more. Even though I read Grandad's Island to my class, following the news of a death in our community, no child made any connection between that event and grandad's decision to remain on the island.

I also loved how it was as if Syd had dropped his Grandad off in 'heaven/the afterlife/whatever you'd like it to be' and this could encourage children who may be going through the same to imagine this amazing happy place where their loved one is at peace. Proficient readers bring a lot of assumptions to text, that young children need to be taught explicitly or else learn implicitly though wide reading and life experience.

I had picked up this book because of the beautiful bright colours and sweet illustrations on the cover that I wanted to have a try at sketching.

It does so in a way that I feel like a kid who hadn't lost anyone wouldn't pick up on it (There's no funeral or tears or sickness) but that a kid who had experience a loss might find resonance in the story. Overall, although this book deals with a difficult topic it's still an excellent resource in any KS1 primary classroom! Since death isn't directly specified, this title also works for when a child's loved one is moving far away.

However, with how the story portrays Grandad going to heaven, it deals with it in a sensitive way that children can understand and may help them not to be as worried. From the praise I have seen heaped upon Gradad's Island by other online reviewers, it would seem that the narrative here works very well for most readers, allowing them to explore the idea of death, and of parting from a loved one, in an imaginative and helpful way. I liked the symbolism when Syd had to travel back on his own, the waves were bumpy but he got there safely in the end. He is still working out which he likes best, and currently divides his time between illustrating children’s books and directing animation. Shelf Awareness for Readers 'A resonant, layered tale that will only gain in texture as its readers get older.Missing his grandfather, Syd is comforted by the idea, as represented by the letter from the island that he receives, that his Grandad is in a good place. Grandad and Syd going on one 'last adventure' is almost like a representation for the Grandad going to heaven, which is a beautiful place and he is happy. Benji studied animation at university and has since worked on a diverse array of projects, from picture books and animated short films to music videos, commercials and title sequences. A heartfelt story which quietly and sensitively explores the the experience of grief through simple storytelling and beautiful artwork. Com linguagem simples e desenhos de uma ternura inigualável, vemos o quanto pode ser doloroso despedirmo-nos de alguém de quem gostamos muito.