Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Boy learns the song of nature in gorgeous, poetic tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
MY GRANDFATHER'S SONG begins with a boy named Tí and his grandfather, paddle in hand, navigating a flat-bottom boat toward the shore of their new home in a new land. They get out of the boat and face the jungle with hands clasped in a prayerful pose, hearing all sorts of noises. "This is music," Grandfather says, "and we must learn the song." From there the pair gathers bamboo to build a home, cultivates rice, dodges tigers, survives storms, catches fish, collects fruit, and joins in community with other settlers. Tí reflects, "Together we are the song. We grow and we sing. We plant and we harvest."
Is It Any Good?
This beautifully illustrated, poetically told tale of humans learning to live with and respect the nature and wildlife around them is simple enough for young kids to grasp. Although the central song metaphor may be a little tricky for some, My Grandfather's Song is a beautiful grandfather-grandson tale with charismatic characters, as well as a generational story of a people inheriting land, customs, and culture from their ancestors. "Year after year, new families add their voices to the chorus of our song," Tí says directly to the reader. "Now it's my turn to teach them the notes and rests of this land as my grandfather taught me." The art is dazzling, with momentum and emotion conveyed on every page, along with kid-appeal humor (with monkeys!) and relatable pint-size fears and worries.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how My Grandfather's Song tells a story of generations, starting with one grandfather teaching his grandson about living with nature. Do you have a grandparent who has taught you something? What was it?
Which picture is your favorite? What do you like about it?
How does Tí show courage and perseverance? How do he and his grandfather show teamwork in getting food to eat?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Illustrators : Phùng Nguyên Quang , Huynh Kim Liên
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : STEM , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Make Me A World
- Publication date : October 17, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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