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Saturday, February 14, 2015

Grandfather Gandhi: PB #1 for 14:14 Review


Title: Grandfather Gandhi
Authors: 
Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus
Illustrator: 
Evan Turk
Publisher: 
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Year: 2014, Nonfiction
Word Count: 1,478

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Summary
Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson tells the story of how his grandfather taught him to turn darkness into light. How could he—a Gandhi—be so easy to anger?
One thick, hot day, Arun Gandhi travels with his family to Grandfather Gandhi’s village. Silence fills the air—but peace feels far away for young Arun. When an older boy pushes him on the soccer field, his anger fills him in a way that surely a true Gandhi could never imagine.
Can Arun ever make his grandfather proud?

Story Element: Theme
This picture book appeals to the Indian side of my heritage. But it also has a broader appeal due to its universal theme of Peace.
One of the lessons Arun learned from his Grandfather Gandhi was – “that anger can be like electricity.” One chooses to be the “lightning or lamp.”
“Each time we choose to act rather than react, to sit instead of strike, to listen instead of shout, we work to create peace.”
Illustrator Evan Turk draws readers onto Arun’s world using watercolor, paper collage, cotton fabric, cotton, yarn, gouache, pencil, tea, and tin foil. 

(Post #1 for the 14:14 Picture Book Blog Review Challenge created by Christie Wild of Write Wild. http://christiewrightwild.blogspot.com)

13 comments:

  1. Hello Manju! I'm so happy to meet you via Christie's PB 14:14. I know I've seen your name in this incredible kid lit community.
    What a lovely book...it's another one that is new to me...just goes to show how many books are out there that we would never get to know about if not for awesome challenges like this one. ;) Thank you for a wonderfully detailed look at this one.

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    1. Thanks, Vivian! I look forward to reading your reviews.

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  2. Thanks Manju! I have this book on hold at the library! I can't wait to check it out. Gandhi's legacy of peace is certainly one we should all aspire to. I love the quotes you share!

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    1. Hi, Lindsay! Hope you enjoy the story. Have a great day.

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  3. I have wanted to read this book since it came out. I am so happy you chose this one. And Bethany lives here in Austin.

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    1. Hi, Joyce! Bethany has a special note on the end page.

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  4. Hello Manju, how difficult it must be for any child or grandchild of such a great person as Gandhi. Struggling with anger is something many young children (and big children) must learn to control and channel and fortunately this child had a wonderful mentor. Thank you for your review.

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    1. Hi, Cecillia! I agree that dealing with anger was really tough for Arun Gandhi.

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  5. Thanks for reviewing this book. I've been meaning to check it out. I just place a hold on it at my library. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Hi, Jackie! I appreciate you hoping over to my blog. Hope you enjoy the book.

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  6. Hi, Sydney! Turk's illustrations really capture the flavor (tea) of India.

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  7. Yes, great quote to share. I can definitely see this book as a great example of theme.

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