Grandad's Island

Since the last book review was of a book I didn't personally rate all that highly, I thought this time, I better pick one that I had something positive to say about, so here's mine and Abe's thoughts on Benji Davis' "Grandad's Island".

The book is aimed at young readers but, what it doesn't do that so many of its counterparts on the market do, and makes it stand out, is shy away from both a challenging idea and exquisite language.

The story is about Syd and his Grandad who visit a tropical island where Grandad decides to stay. Beyond that though, it is a book about loss. About Grandad not being there anymore. About death. Not your typical early reader. But the beauty of the book's central premise, is your child will access it at the level they're ready for. My son reads it simply and literally as a tale about Grandad staying on an island, because he's three. And because like most young readers, unless guided to delve deeper he won't, so I can choose when we access that more metaphorical aspect of the story.

While it presents death/heaven/the afterlife as a beautiful place filled with colour and animals and a place where Grandad no longer needs to walk with his stick, it isn't something that offers a set take on what an afterlife or heaven is. It's general enough and secular enough for you to allow your own ideas to sit within or alongside it; whatever that might be. Even the ending, which some (mostly adults it seems) find kind of confusing - Syd gets a picture from Grandad on this island - lends itself to discussion about they ways those we have lost might reach out to us, without alienating most belief systems.

In terms of language, Davis not only manages to craft his story for little kids without dumbing down his vocabulary, he incorporates sibilance, metaphor, and a host of literary devices to evoke the reader's senses and imagination.

His perfect idea, which he executes with so much flair, is finished off with the thing that matters most to his audience. The pictures. They are outstanding. Rich in colour, texture and detail, they underscore his writing and transport even the most cynical, exhausted parent who just wants to get out of that bedroom and crack open the wine, to Grandad's little slice of paradise.

So, I love it for all the reasons above; Abe loves it"... because it's all about Grandad, and I love Grandad'.