Grandpa Green by Lane Smith

 Grandpa Green has had an amazing life. When he was little, he lived on a farm. He got chicken pox (but not from the chickens). He was a soldier; he went to France. He got married and had a big family, including a great-great grandson. Sometimes he has a hard time remembering everything that's happened in his life, but when he needs to remember, he just heads to the garden.

Another book that has shown up on several Best of 2011 lists is this latest picture book from Lane Smith that celebrates families and history. It's a lovely picture book that strikes just the right notes. It's sentimental without being sappy, sweet without being cloying. It takes a very sure hand to create a picture book that balances everything as well as Grandpa Green does. Make sure to check this one out.

Find it at IndieBound. 

Read it with:
It's a Book by Lane Smith
My Garden by Kevin Henkes
My Great-great-great-great-great Grandfather...Was a Warrior! by Riccardo Francaviglia