*received for free from netgalley for honest review* very cute and wholesome kids book. Had one of these gardens as a kid and loved it, would be the perfect book to introduce one to a child!

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great book for littles that may not live near their grandparents. It illustrates well the love between a grandparent and grandchild and learning from them. Great pictures.

A lovely story that presents loss in a way that is accessible for its intended level of age and understanding.

5/5 stars.

Ojiichan's Gift is a beautiful story about the bond of love between a girl and her grandfather. Together, they share a special garden made out of stones. When Mayumi's grandfather could no longer live on his own, she made a special gift for him so he could be reminded of their time together at his home.

This story allows conversations about family bonds, changes that come about due to aging, and dealing with the emotions surrounding those changes. I recommend reading it aloud at home and at school.

Thank you #NetGalley for the digital galley. #OjiichansGift #ChieriUegaki

Thank you #netgalley for giving me a copy of this book to review. This is the story of a young girl, her grandpa, and their garden. The descriptions in the book made me want to live in that garden with the characters. The author did a wonderful job of bringing me into the story and allowing me to feel what Mayumi was feeling. This will be a great book for me to introduce my students to Japanese culture.

Sweet story of a little girl creating a zen garden for her grandfather as he grows to old to care for a full size garden himself. I loved the illustrations- so peaceful. Kids of all ages will enjoy this story.

When Mayumi was born, her grandfather who lived in Japan built her a garden. It was a garden without tulips or flowers. Instead it was a garden of stones of all sizes. Around the edge, the garden had bushes and trees as well as a space for Mayumi to have a meal with her grandfather. As Mayumi grew up, she learned more and more about taking care of her garden alongside her grandfather. But then one summer, her grandfather could not care for his home or the garden anymore. When they arrived, the house was dusty and the garden was overgrown. Her grandfather had to use a wheelchair now. Mayumi is very angry and takes her anger out on the rocks of the garden, trying to topple the largest over. When she is unable to tip it over, she kicks the smaller rocks around. As her anger subsides, she rakes the garden back into order again and has an inspiration of what she can do to help both herself and her grandfather with this transition.

Uegaki was inspired to write this book by her own father who was a traditional Japanese landscaper and gardener. She captures with nicely chosen details the essence of a Japanese rock garden with its order, natural elements and upkeep. She also shows how a garden can create connections between in a long-distance relationship with a grandparent. She manages to have a strong point of view without being didactic at all, instead allowing the reader and Mayumi to experience the results of the garden without extra commentary.

The illustrations by Simms add to the understanding of the Japanese garden. Done in beautiful details, they offer images of the rocks, the moss, the gravel, and all of the elements. Using different perspectives for her images, she shows views from alongside the garden as well as from above. The same is true of the grandfather’s house as views change from outside looking in to the reverse.

A charming look at the connections between grandfather and granddaughter built through a garden. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

This is a beautiful book about the relationship between a grandfather and granddaughter and their shared love of gardening. It tackles the real life issue of aging and how that changes things. I cannot wait to add this beauty to my school and home libraries!

Ojiichan's Gift is a moving picture book about the relationship between a grandfather and his granddaughter. It also tells about how to adjust to drastic changes. The book also has some really beautiful artwork.

Every year Mayumi spends the summer in Japan with Ojiichan, her grandfather, who creates a unique garden for her and teaches her how to tend it. Mayumi loves weeding and clipping shrubs and especially raking the gravel to create pretty patterns around rocks.

Then one summer everything changes – Ojiichan is too old to live in his house and Mayumi has to deal with the knowledge that she’ll no longer be able to spend time with him in the beautiful garden.

However, by means of an empty bento box, a few special items from the garden and some imagination, Mayumi is able to create a touching tribute to remind both her and Ojiichan of their beloved garden.

This picture book almost had me in tears – the author draws the reader into Mayumi’s world and holds on tight to our heartstrings right through to the end. I keenly felt Mayumi’s sense of loss as well as her boundless love for her grandfather.

Ojiichan’s Gift also provides a fascinating introduction to Japanese culture, with the smattering of Japanese words adding additional authenticity and colour to the story.

The soft, gentle illustrations complement the text nicely.

I would recommend this book to children aged 5 and up, but I’m sure many younger children (and adults!) would enjoy it too.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I enjoyed reading this. An interesting story with fun characters. Well written.

A heartwarming story of family connection across generations. Mayumi's grandfather made her a rock garden when she was born and every summer she has helped him tend this garden. It was their spot to connect with each other. One summer when she arrives and sees the garden untended and the house dusty she realizes that what her parents told her is true. Her grandfather can't live there anymore. Unwilling to accept the change easily Mayumi gets angry and attacks the garden, but seeing the mess she made she begins to repair the damage and comes up with a new way for her and her grandfather to stay connected. A good read that shows the difficulty that children may have with family members aging and the change that must inevitably come.

In our world today, it is very common for grandparents to live far away from their grandchildren. This is a story of love, teaching, sharing and memories between generations. Mayumi lives far away from her grandfather. Even though he is in Japan and she in North America, he creates a garden for her made of stones, gravel, rocks, and shrubs in his yard. When she visits, they work in the garden, share time and silence. When Ojiichan gets too old to take care of his home and garden, Mayumi needs to come up with a way to remember both Ojiichan and her garden.

This was a beautiful, quiet, picture book. The bonds between grandparents and grandchildren is depicted in a very strong and important way. I loved how this story showed the importance of quiet reflection and just being with someone you love. It also teaches the beauty of nature, taking care of it and sharing it. Of course the idea of aging and change is depicted in a beautiful way. We will all get older and children will have to deal with aging relatives, this book shows that change and aging is okay and a natural part of life. My grandson was quiet and reflective when I read him this story. He liked it, but didn't talk a lot about it. I think this would be a great addition to a family library, especially if there is an aging relative.

I received an electronic ARC from Kids Can Press through NetGalley.
Every year Mayumi visits her Ojiichan in Japan. They spend time in the garden he made for her every day. One summer, it's obvious he can no longer stay in the house. She deals with her emotions by attempting to shift rocks and small stones in the garden. After her emotions are drained, she finds a way to bring the garden to her Ojiichan's new home and to her home in the US.
Soft colored illustrations bring the words to life for younger readers.
A story of family changes anyone can relate to.

Review to be posted on GoodReads Apr 2, 2019:

When Mayumi was born her Ojiichan made her a rock garden in his backyard just for them to spend time together in. Over the years, Mayumi treasured the summers with her grandfather in that garden. But one year Ojiichan is not able to care for himself or the garden like he used to and must move. At first Mayumi takes her frustrations out on the garden, but then she cleans it up and in so doing gets an idea of how they can both keep the garden even though Ojiichan is moving.

A sweet story of how a grandfather and granddaughter share memories with a garden, and how they keep those memories alive. I like the biracial protagonist and the way her grandfather bonds with her. Mayumi’s frustration will give adult readers a chance to talk to little readers about their feeling about changes in life. And Mayumi’s creative solution is something that pretty much any kid could do themselves. Recommended for kids going through changes, those who like books set in Asia or featuring biracial main characters, and of course, for grandkids to read with grandparents.

<i>I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

Heartwarming tale with beautiful illustrations.

One of the things I loved about this storybook was that it showcases family love. Although Grandpa lived far away from Mayumi, he still was a part of her life through the garden he created for her. The ending is poignant.

Ojiichan's Gift by Chieri Uegaki & Genevieve Simms tells the story of Mayumi, who visits her grandfather in Japan each summer. When Mayumi was born, her grandfather created a very special garden for her- a Zen rock garden. Mayumi loved her times visiting her grandfather and working the rock garden. Her favourite thing is the sound of the rake through the pebbles. Then comes the summer when Mayumi finds the garden untended. Her grandfather is now wheelchair bound, and has to move. Mayumi finds a way to send the garden with her grandfather, and bring it home with her as well.

I read this with my cubs, and we all enjoyed the touching story. The artwork is just beautiful as well. It was perfect for the story told. This did make me tear up later, recalling my own childhood, spent on my grandparents farm. It was a horse farm, but my grandmother always had a garden. As the years went by, the gardens grew smaller, until they simply couldn't work them. I liked that there was a scattering of Japanese throughout. A glossary in back provides definitions. Highly recommended!

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for providing a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Poignant story of a girl whose grandfather is aging. At firs frustrated by this, she learns to do their favorite activities together in a way that can reach him.

I liked this simple story about family and gardens.

The illustrations are pretty. The garden is beautiful.

I would read this book to children aged 5-8 years or use it as a stimulus for writing with children 8-11 years.

I liked that the main character was Japanese but it was an English speaking book, I like representation. I also enjoyed the short Japanese phrases woven in from her Grandad.

The illustrations and story are beautiful. Mayumi’s relationship with her Ojiichan is special, and her gift to him shows empathy. This is a great introduction to Japanese culture and Zen Gardens. It would make a great read aloud + maker ed activity.