Review - My Grandson Lew

My Grandson Lew
by Charlotte Zolotow
illustrated by William Pène du Bois
Date: 1974
Publisher: Harper & Row
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 30
Format: e-book
Source: Open Library

Young Lewis misses his grandfather, even though he died when Lewis was only two. Together Lew and his mother learn that remembering Grandpa together is less lonely than each remembering him alone.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I guess not all books are destined to be classics.

My Grandson Lew is a rather boring story about reminiscing. Lewis tells his mother about how his grandfather used to come into his room when he called for him. He also talks about a trip the two took to the museum when he was little. His mother is surprised he remembers. Lewis wishes his grandfather were there, but his mom informs him that the old man is dead. So they remember him together.

I'm not entirely sure that Lew understand what death is. He keeps wanting Grandpa to come back, and his mother doesn't help matters by telling him that, by remembering, he made Grandpa "come back".

Unfortunately, there's not much more story. And the illustrations are pretty forgettable. Also, it's written in an artsy fashion without quotation marks, even though pretty much the whole thing is a conversation between mother and son. I can't see this book really appealing to children. Their parents might appreciate it more.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 2/5
Illustrations: 2/5
Originality: 2/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2 out of 5