Grandfather's Dream - Hardcover

Keller, Holly

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0688123392 ISBN 13: 9780688123390

Publisher: Greenwillow Books, 1994

Synopsis

The Vietnam war is over, and Grandfather and young Nam dream that the new dikes will restore the wetlands, bringing home the beautiful cranes that once filled the winter sky. But other villagers think that growing rice is a more practical use for the land. "This is a beautiful book with many layers of meaning and an important message. The simple illustrations...are lovely and appealing."--School Library Journal.

About this title

About the Author

Holly Keller has illustrated a number of books in the Lets-Read-and-Find-Out Science series, including Be a Friend to Trees. She is also the author and illustrator of many picture books, including Island Baby and Horace.

Ms. Keller lives in West Redding, Connecticut.

From Booklist

Ages 5-8. Sarus cranes, long regarded as good luck, have disappeared from the Mekong Delta after canals drained the land during the Vietnam War. Now young Nam's village has an opportunity to lure the cranes back by building dikes to restore the wetlands feeding ground. The villagers are divided along generational lines. Nam's mother argues that drained fields are more useful for growing rice. But Grandfather values tradition and believes the cranes are entitled to their original home. The experiment is allowed a year's trial. During the following dry season, Nam's dogs retrieve two baby birds, and when he and Papa visit the feeding ground, they discover the birds have indeed returned. Grandfather happily joins other Tam Nong villagers as they admire the beautiful flock in flight. But he cautions Nam that it is "up to you" whether the birds will stay. Keller's argument for wildlife restoration springs from her involvement in project "Saving Cranes in Vietnam." Understandably, she gives little attention to arguments in favor of retaining land for farming. Clear ink and watercolor illustrations capture the stilt village and surrounding terrain well. However, only a small section of dike, which is critical to the villagers' strategy, is depicted in a single frame. This volume will be useful in geography curricula and in exploring war's consequences, as well as in environmental studies. Elizabeth Bush

About this edition

• Publisher: Greenwillow Books
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0688123392
• ISBN 13: 9780688123390
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Keller Holly