For a child navigating shyness with a distant grandparent, this book gently explores bridging cultural and language gaps to build a loving family connection.
A parent might reach for this book when their child feels shy or disconnected from a grandparent who lives far away, especially if there is a language or cultural barrier. "Grandpa Across the Ocean" follows a young girl's summer visit to her grandpa in Korea. At first, everything feels strange: the food, the language, and her silent grandpa. But through shared activities like drawing, gardening, and trips to the market, they find ways to connect without words, building a bond of love and understanding. This gentle story is perfect for ages 4 to 7, validating a child's initial hesitation while showing how patience and shared experiences can forge strong family ties across any distance.
The core topic is the emotional challenge of connecting with family across generational, cultural, and linguistic divides. The approach is direct, realistic, and child-centered. The resolution is hopeful, demonstrating that a strong bond can be formed, but it's also realistic in acknowledging the sadness of separation when the visit ends. There is no religious context.
Ideal Reader
This is for a 4 to 6 year old child who is anxious about an upcoming visit with a distant relative, particularly a grandparent from another country. It's especially suited for a shy child who is worried about not being understood or feeling like an outsider in a family member's home.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold. A parent should be prepared to discuss the girl's initial feelings of fear and dislike for her grandpa. It's a great opportunity to validate a child's apprehension and talk about how feelings can change as you get to know someone. The tearful goodbye scene is also a key point for conversation. The parent has just booked a flight for their child to visit grandparents overseas and the child responds with, "But he's a stranger," or "I don't want to go, it's scary there." Or, a parent wants to proactively prepare a child for the potential awkwardness of such a visit.
Age Experience
A younger child (4-5) will connect with the concrete details: scary beard, yummy popsicles, fun at the beach. They will understand the simple journey from scared to happy. An older child (6-7) will better grasp the subtleties of the language barrier, the concept of non-verbal communication, and the complex, bittersweet feeling of loving someone who lives very far away.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many books that portray an instantly warm grandparent relationship, this book's strength is its honest depiction of the initial awkwardness and emotional distance. It validates a child's negative or hesitant feelings and uniquely focuses on how non-verbal, shared activities (like drawing) can be the key to building a connection when words fail.
Read plot summary
A young girl flies to spend the summer in Korea with her grandfather, whom she barely knows. Initially, she is wary of him, his quiet nature, his unfamiliar home, and the food he serves. The language barrier creates a significant distance between them. Their relationship slowly blossoms as they find non-verbal ways to communicate: sharing popsicles, watering plants, drawing pictures for each other, and visiting the local market. By the end of the summer, they have formed a deep, loving bond, which makes their farewell at the airport both sad and full of love.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
At the beginning of the book, the girl thinks Grandpa's eyes are scary and his beard is scratchy. What happens to make her change her mind about him?
2
Grandpa and the little girl don't speak the same language. What are some of the things they do together to show they care about each other without using words?
3
When they visit the busy market, how does Grandpa help the little girl feel safe and happy instead of scared?
4
Saying goodbye at the airport looks very sad, but they are also smiling. Why do you think they might feel both happy and sad at the same time?
