The Summer My Father Was Ten
- Subject
- Social Themes - Friendship
- Age
- 3-5 years
- Format
- Trade Paperback
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Astra Young Readers
- Size
- 22.1 cm × 30.5 cm
- ISBN
- 9781563978296
In this touching book with a moral message, a child retells the story of her father's youth when an impromptu baseball game gets out of hand and some unthinking boys end up destroying an old man's garden.
Every year my father and I plant a garden. Tomatoes, peppers, onions, marigold, and zinnias grow in neat, straight rows...and every spring my father tells me about Mr. Bellavista and the summer my father was ten.
That was the summer a boy lost a baseball under a tomato plant in Mr. Bellavista's garden. And someone tossed a tomato back instead of the baseball. A lively battle took place, which seemed like great fun at the time, but in the end, Mr. Bellavista's garden was ruined.
In a touching story of one boy's efforts to make amends, we see the rebuilding of a garden and the forming of a relationship across generations. With luminous, beautifully detailed watercolors, this excellent book for the whole family shows how we can turn our mistakes into some of life's greatest moments.
Every year my father and I plant a garden. Tomatoes, peppers, onions, marigold, and zinnias grow in neat, straight rows...and every spring my father tells me about Mr. Bellavista and the summer my father was ten.
That was the summer a boy lost a baseball under a tomato plant in Mr. Bellavista's garden. And someone tossed a tomato back instead of the baseball. A lively battle took place, which seemed like great fun at the time, but in the end, Mr. Bellavista's garden was ruined.
In a touching story of one boy's efforts to make amends, we see the rebuilding of a garden and the forming of a relationship across generations. With luminous, beautifully detailed watercolors, this excellent book for the whole family shows how we can turn our mistakes into some of life's greatest moments.
Data provided by BiblioShare.
This title isn't available to order right now. Browse the book shop for thousands that are.
What reviewers said
Christopher Award
Paterson Prize for Young People
National Parenting Publications Honor Award
Teachers' Choices - International Reading Association
Teachers' Choice Award - Learning Magazine
"Growing a garden is fact and metaphor in this profoundly moving cross-generational story with a neighborhood drama that children will relate to and exquisite watercolors that celebrate renewal and connection."
"A careless, destructive act leads to lifelong friendship and a family tradition in this moving, stunningly illustrated story... (a) fine story of intergenerational friendship."
"[A] serious and thoughtful examination of childhood blunders."
"Vibrant, meticulous watercolors accompany this moving story."
More like this
My Two Dads and Me
Michael Joosten
The Fathers Walk
Margaret Bernstein
The Palm of My Heart: Poetry by African American Children
Davida Adedjouma
Three Tales of My Father's Dragon
Ruth Stiles Gannett
My Two Moms
Alphonso Buie
I Am Ann I Love My Brother Stan
Ronnie MacKay Leesui, Lucas MacKay
My Daughter
Breonna Tabb
