At the end of a dingy, grey street full of long-forgotten houses that even the sun, moon and stars seem to have abandoned, there is one with a light glowing for that is where the Andersons live - mum, dad, Millie, Sonny, Jonas, Maggie the dog, and Grandad. There is much love and laughter, happiness and hi-jinx because Grandad has music in his fingers and magic under the hat that he never takes off. When the children ask him why he always has it on, he tells them he keeps his "magic up there - a few dreams and secrets" but when they press him, they are not sure whether to believe him or not, particularly Millie who tells him, “Grandad, I’ve seen you without your hat, and nothing was there except your hair.”
But it doesn't really matter because the bonds between the generations have their own magic, and whether or not the final pages are true or just wishful thinking, the story sparkles with positivity and hope.
Margot Lindgren has written a brilliant review that focuses on Bob Graham's story world and how characters and illustrations seem to step from one book to another, and, in each, building a tale that focuses on the everyday lives and living which every young reader is going to recognise and be a part of. And books that are mirrors, particularly those that wrap themselves around you like a grandparent's love, are what many of our kids need right now. Even if their external circumstances seem as derelict as Five Mile Road right now, offering them the warmth that shines literally and figuratively from the Anderson's home, might help feed their belief that the dark does pass and the morning star will shine and welcome the sun.
This review can also be found here.
Recommended by: Barbara Braxton, Teacher Librarian, New South Wales AUSTRALIA
See more of her reviews:
500 Hats http://500hats.edublogs.org/
The Bottom Shelf http://thebottomshelf.edublogs.org/
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Bob Graham brings his ineffable touch to this tale of a joyful connection between a grandad and grandkids—and how the love in one family’s home is enough to change a fragile world.
The Mile End Road once sparkled in sunshine and children’s laughter, until hard times came and all the people left, taking with them the sun, moon, and stars. But one family stayed on this broken-down street: the Andersons, in their house with a warm little glow, where kids bounce happily on Dad’s back, and Grandad’s fingers squeak on guitar strings as he jokes about all the secrets and dreams he keeps under his hat. “Grandad, I’ve seen you without your hat,” insists Millie, “and nothing was there except your hair.” But what will the children see the next time he doffs his hat? As always with Bob Graham, the tenderness is in the details: strewn-about stuffies, tumbling children, a blue-jeaned grandad with one leg thrown over his chair arm. It’s a story where even a derelict neighborhood can spark back to life, and where the love of a playfully bantering grandad can conjure a whole universe of light.---from the publisher
40 pages 978-1536245042 Ages 4-7
Keywords: family life, grandfather, grandchildren, connection, fun, music, hat, neighborhood, 4 year old, 5 year old, 6 year old, 7 year old
