From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3-A wonderful, poetic portrait. A little girl finds a kindred spirit in her grandmother, who grows vegetables, drives a purple bus, pickets city hall, plays banjo, and has a cat named Woodstock. When the woman lists all the exciting career possibilities her granddaughter will have when she grows up, the child says, "I tell her there's one other thing/I really want to do:/`Become a Hippie Grandmother,/So I'll be JUST LIKE YOU!'" Carter's colorful watercolor-and-gouache illustrations capture the happy mood of the verse. For all one-time hippies to share with their grandchildren on a one-to-one basis so as not to miss the details, or in a group to showcase the fun of the poetry, this is an entertaining choice.
Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
PreS-Gr. 2. In this sunny picture book, a little girl talks about her hippie grandmother and what makes her special: "I have a hippie grandmother. / I'm really glad she's mine. She hasn't cut her hair at all / Since nineteen sixty-nine." From the cat named Woodstock to the "Flower Power" poster on the wall, there are plenty of period details, but they would barely rise above the level of cliche without the breezy, natural sounding verse that carries them so lightly and joyfully along. The watercolor-and-gouache illustrations reflect the spirit of the verse. Their harmonious colors, subtle patterns, and wiggly lines suggest music in the background. Don't look for nostalgia here, just a lively, intergenerational love song that features something rarely seen in picture books: a contemporary grandmother. Fun for reading aloud.
Carolyn PhelanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
