Grandfather Counts (Reading Rainbow Book) (Paperback)

by Andrea Cheng (Author), Ange Zhang (Illustrator) "Gong Gong, Grandfather, was one of the last people off the plane..." (more)
Key Phrases: Gong Gong, Yin Hua

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Ages 4-8. Helen is bothered by having to give up her room to Gong Gong, her Chinese grandfather, when he comes to live with the family. She's puzzled by his sitting and reading his Chinese newspapers. As she can no longer watch the trains from her bedroom window, she sits on the concrete wall in the backyard to count the cars and wave to the engineer. It's there one evening that Gong Gong joins her and teaches her to count the cars in Chinese. They sit together long after the engineer waves good-bye, counting in both Chinese and English. So begin their language lessons and a special relationship. Conveying nuggets of Chinese culture as well as bits of the language, Cheng's story hints honestly at the difficulties of resettling an aged, non-English-speaking relative, and in velvety colors, Zhang's acrylics paint the growing relationship with simple integrity. A brief glossary with pronunciation guides presents words in both Chinese and English. Ellen Mandel
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review
"The book's theme of cultural assimilation is subtly renedered . . . and the illustrations are fittingly textured and tender."

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 36 pages
• Publisher: Lee & Low Books (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584301589
• ISBN-13: 978-1584301585
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.2 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #195,880 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #41 in	Books > Children's Books > Issues > Multiculturalism
  #66 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multicultural Stories > Asian & Asian American

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming grandparent-grandchild story, October 19, 2000

By	Linda "sandwell6" (Madisonville, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grandfather Counts (Reading Rainbow Book) (Hardcover)

The delicate relationship between the child and her grandfather is beautifully developed by the author, and the message that our differences -- age, language, etc. -- matter less than what we share is conveyed with subtlety. The glossary of Chinese words gives added insight into a different culture. The illustrations are good, though not as outstanding as the text. A real charmer!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful book!, January 9, 2005

By	Charles Chea (Philadelphia, Pa) - See all my reviews

My grandfather had recently passed away and my younger cousin was very close to him. I never thought I would find such an excellent children's book on the important and loving relationships between Asian American grandparents and their grandchildren. Additionally, the storyline is simply and beautifully written, and the animation is of high quality.

I consider this a rare and priceless treasure that I hope will get passed on in generations to come.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grandfather Counts book review, August 17, 2000

By	Matthew Kartal (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grandfather Counts (Reading Rainbow Book) (Hardcover)

I thought Grandfather Counts was a really good book. When I read it I liked how the child and grandfather taught each other. I espeacially liked it because of my intertest in different languages. I would recomend this book for any one who has an interest in different cultures and languages.