Grandma Summer (Picture Books) [Hardcover]

Harley Jessup (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1999 | Age Level: 3 and up | Series: Picture Books

At first Ben has his doubts about the old house by the sea where he and Grandma have come to stay. The doors and shutters are creaky, there's only a wood stove for cooking and heat, and the garage is filled with the discards of many years. But as he and Grandma establish their special rapport, exploring the beach and testing the icy surf, playing checkers and snuggling in to wait out a storm, Ben begins to understand the magic of this place that holds the memories of many happy summers.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Arriving for a vacation at a well-seasoned cottage on the Oregon shore, Ben is uneasy about being in Grandma's custody. Grandma lights a fire inside an old stove ("That's not safe, Grandma") and leads a reluctant Ben into the surf ("No, I don't want to float across the ocean to Japan"). Children may not want to identify with the stodgy Ben, but Jessup (What's Alice Up To?) paints an affectionate, even intriguing portrait of redheaded Grandma. She is slightly eccentric in appearance (she favors contrasting prints and purple eye shadow), but is self-contained and confident, and kids will want to know what she will do next. Acting as a catalyst ("The beach! We've been here all morning and we haven't been to the beach yet!"), she keeps the events moving at a bracing clip. Sketchy art keeps pace with the high energy of the narrative, and the settings, especially the ramshackle cottage, are inviting. A skillful integration of full-scale illustrations and dropped-in vignettes heightens the narrative tension. With just a splash of sentiment, this is refreshing summer fare. Ages 3-8. (June)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Ben's spirited Grandma takes him for his first visit to the family summerhouse on the Oregon coast. There are lots of new things for him to get used to-an old iron stove, a creaky house, a spooky garage, and electricity that goes off during a storm. But this grandmother knows how to get her wary grandson involved in the fun of being by the ocean. Early in the morning after a storm, she wakes him to scour the beach for whatever has been washed up. There are lots of interesting shells and wildlife to see, but Ben is looking for a special treasure. After a diligent search, he finds it-a green glass float just like the one he discovered in the garage. Grandma says it came from a Japanese fishing net and traveled over 4000 miles to reach this spot. Even though they haven't eaten breakfast, she suggests ice-cream cones to celebrate. Ben is surely in for an unusual summer and it looks like he'll love it. The large, bright watercolor illustrations are so filled with the light and colors of the seaside that one can almost smell and hear the ocean. Some of the shells and vegetation that Ben finds are helpfully labeled for those new to beachcombing. A satisfying story.
Virginia Golodetz, Children's Literature New England, Burlington, VT
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670882607
• ISBN-13: 978-0670882601
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,137,109 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for building relationships between the generations, June 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Grandma Summer (Picture Books) (Hardcover)

The story is really well-told and telling of the importance between the grandparent/grandchild relationship. Developing this relationship is so important, and it reminds me of another similar book; "Something to Remember Me By" by Susan Bosak. Reader's will be captivated by how the grandparent/grandchild relationship develops in this very touching story. The illustrations are great. A perfect gift book for a grandmother.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Harley Jessup is OSCAR's best !!!, January 13, 2005

By 

Doc John (The Pacific NW) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grandma Summer (Picture Books) (Hardcover)

Winning an Academy Award for INNERSPACE and the birth of his first child within days of each other, Harley Jessup is the PERFECT children's author and illustrator. From COW DAY at Oregon State University, this ARTIST has moved onwards and upwards. Keep these books coming Harley, some day I will have my own grandchildren to share with them.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, May 24, 2009

By 

M. B. Chaney "Metaheart" (Beaverton OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grandma Summer (Picture Books) (Hardcover)

This book was an ideal story as my grandson's name is Ben, I have red fingernails, reading glasses, live in Oregon and I used to have red hair but am now blond. Every year when I go see Ben we read this book but together and each taking turns as to who does the narrating. We've even been in one of those photo booths and we cherish those pictures.He was four but now he's eight. I can't thank the author enough for writing it.

Sincerely,

Meta Chaney