Yo Yo's Literature Collection - Grandfather counts

 

 

 

 

Grandfather Counts by Andrea Cheng and illustrations by Ange Zhang

 

 

Grandfather counts was written in 

September 2000

 

Summary

Grandfather counts was about a biracial girl whom grandfather came to visit the biracial family. Helen was the granddaughters name whom did not know Chinese. Gong Gong was the grandfathers name and he did not know English. Gong Gong only read newspapers and really didn't communicate with anyone, even when he was encouraged by his daughter (Helen's mother). Gong Gong only read Chinese newspapers all day. Helen loved to count the trains as they rolled by. One day Gong Gong joined Helen on the gate to count the train carts. Gong Gong counted in Chinese while Helen counted in English. At that moment they taught bonded and taught each other how to count in English or Chinese. They also taught each other how to write the other ones name in Chinese or English.

Evaluation of Genre

The genre of this book is contemporary realistic fiction picture book. I feel that it is common for someone to come to the United sates and not know the language. It is also common for Americans not to understand the language the foreigner speaks . Gong Gong probably felt lost due to the language barrier.

Evaluation of Illustrations

The illustrations are realistic.  The colors are vivid and the shapes are meaningful and significant. They go along well with representation of a child's room, appearance of a train, etc. The text line up with the illustrations and establishes the mood, setting, theme, and characters in the story.
I also saw the illustration of writing the Chinese name Gong Gong visibly which improved my understanding.

Motivational Activities

Grandfather counts was intended for young readers of age group 6 - 8 years old.  But I learned to count in Chinese as an adult reader. This book had the some words in Chinese translated in English that were easy for a child to attain and memorize.

• Before activities, the teacher should count in Chinese and translated it to English.
• I will have the children repeat the numbers out loud in English and Chinese.
• I will have students write the numbers in English and Chinese.
• The teacher should say a word out loud in Chinses and have the students write it in Chinese and English.

Reader Response Questions

1. How would you feel if you were in Gong Gongs position and was unable to understand what people were saying to you?
2. What else would you have done if you were Helen or her family?
3. What was some of the ways Helena and her family communicated with Gong Gong?
4. Why do you think Helen's mother never taught her children to read or write Chinese?

Readers Comments

 This book is an excellent book for children learning a new language because it is easier to remember counting. It also sends a wonderful message to the children because it teaches the importance of multicultural differences. This book teaches children that we should try to learn the other culture and take time to teach ours to the foreigner. teachers will enjoy the deep message and the translational values of this book. This book will grasp the readers attention and truly make it memorable and fun!

 

 

 

Other books that are similar to Grandfather Counts include:

 

 

 

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

 



Abuela (English Edition with Spanish Phrases) (Picture Puffins) by Author Durros

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheng, A. (2001). Grandfather Counts. Madison Ave, NY