Opa & Oma Together [Hardcover]

Patrick Mader (Author), Andrew Holmquist (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

Welcome! Meet Opa and Oma, grandparents who have grown in life together on their farm. After fifty years, they still tend to their farm, teaching their grandchildren to care for the land and its creatures.
This humble and peaceful story passes on valued lessons of humankind, drawing on the rural upbringing of the author, Patrick "Packy" Mader, and his four brothers and two sisters. Opa and Oma's sixteen grandchildren now reap the benefits of the same lessons.
Illustrator Andrew Holmquist captures the beauty of the rolling farmscape and the teeming life of a farm as it undergoes a transition. The story and illustrations encapsulate not only one family's change, as children move away from the farm, but that of a nation as well, as rural life gives way to urban society.
Families with connections to farm life, Americans of German heritage, and those who treasure family bonds will especially appreciate Opa and Oma Together.
The appealing simplicity of the story and illustrations create a heartwarming glimpse of farm and family life.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Patrick "Packy" Mader is an elementary school teacher who lives in Northfield, Minnesota, with his wife and two children. He enjoys outdoor family activities, traveling, and visiting Opa and Oma on the farm.

Andrew Holmquist grew up in rural Northfield, Minnesota. He now attends the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he is focusing in painting and illustration.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Beaver's Pond Press (October 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592981208
• ISBN-13: 978-1592981205
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 11.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #991,478 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Patrick "Packy" Mader grew up with six brothers and sisters on a dairy farm near St. Bonifacius, Minnesota. He attended college in Bismarck, North Dakota and later graduated with a degree in elementary education from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin.

Following graduation, Packy worked in both the education and business fields. He spent summers in Minnesota working on area farms, as a materials handler for Tonka Toys, and teaching at a Carver County school for mentally challenged adults.

He is now the author of three intergenerational children's picture books that celebrate rural lifestyles: Opa & Oma Together, Oma Finds a Miracle, and Big Brother Has Wheels (launched in October 2009).

He is currently a teacher at Morristown Elementary in south central Minnesota, and resides in Northfield, Minnesota, with his wife, Karen, and two children, Karl and Ellen.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Opa and Oma a Winner, December 28, 2005

By 

K. Spavin (Twin Cities, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Opa & Oma Together (Hardcover)

I personally recommend this wonderful, family vauled read. It's beautiful theme and stunning artwork deserve every accolade. I also was fortunate to meet and speak with author Packy Mader about the story behind the story. His warmth and genuine Minnesota spirit shone thru as he related his dedication to family with his first publication. A generous and treasured reflection on the family farm and the traditional fast-disappearing lifestyle.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, September 29, 2008

By 

K. Frank "kaft323" (Washington Heights, NYC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Opa & Oma Together (Hardcover)

This is such a wonderful book. I am the 29 year old granddaughter of an Oma, and I always get excited when I see childrens' books that pay homage to my German grandparents. I bought this book for my Oma's 89th birthday and she LOVED it! This has become a bit of a tradition between us, as I keep discovering more beautiful, illustrated books about Omas and Opas. Also, I am a NYC elementary school teacher, and from that point of view this is also a great book, with great lead-ins to a variety of interdisciplinary and multicultural theme units. If you are interested books similar to this, I recommend checking out Oma's Quilt and A Visit to Oma's.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for toddlers, too!, July 8, 2007

By 

Carrie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Opa & Oma Together (Hardcover)

My daughter, who's nearly two, absolutely LOVES this book! The story is simple enough for her to understand, and she likes saying "Opa" and "Oma" -- I think she thinks they're talking about HER grandpa and grandma! She also likes the pictures of the animals throughout the book. We've read it many times, and this is always one of the first books she reaches for at bedtime. The illustrations are colorful, engaging and fun to look at. I'm looking forward to another book by Patrick Mader.