Dear Grandpa by Kate Simpson and Ronojoy Ghosh

Dear Grandpa by Kate Simpson and Ronojoy Ghosh

Dear Grandpa, Did you know that if you rub a needle with a magnet, one end will point to the north, and the other end to the south?

Dear Grandpa by Kate Simpson and Ronojoy Ghosh is a delightful story told through letter writing between a young boy and his grandfather

The story begins with a letter from a young boy named Henry to his grandpa. Readers will learn that he has just moved to the city and is hoping that his Grandpa comes to visit soon.

As the page turns a letter is written from Grandpa to Henry telling him which ice cream he would love to have with Henry when he comes to visit one day.

As each page turns we learn more about Henry and Grandpa, facts about the world and the concept of distance.

Through literal and figurative language the story explores growing up, the quirkiness of grandparents and the joy of relationships.

Each letter is short in words yet full of so much more with the accompanying illustrations.

Children will be able to use their skills of visual literacy to explore more about Henry and Grandpa beyond words and through the meaning they can create through looking.

The joy of letter writing oozes out of the pages, the anticipation of waiting for the letter to arrive and the happiness we can sense through the time taken to write the words.

Teachers can use this book to explore so many different ideas – so read away!

Teacher ideas

  • Visual Literacy – what do we know without the pictures? With the pictures? Without the words. Explore this and then join together to see how illustration and words in a picture book pair so well.

 

  • Letter writing – how does a letter change from a diary entry? Or just a story? Write this book as a story or even a diary entry and explore how the narrative changes.

 

 

  • Where does Henry live? How about Grandpa? Explore the distances and how long it would take by car, foot, train, plane etc!

 

Testimonials – Jack and Jill Kindergarten, Berowra.

Testimonials - Jack and Jill Kindergarten, Berowra.

Thanks so much Vanessa for coming out and sharing your book “The Bee Detectives” with our children 3-5 years old. The experience allowed them to learn so much more about Bees. We have had our native Bees for several years and had beekeepers out before. Your book took an in-depth look into classification, different ways they live, how they collect pollen and make honey.  It created lots of meaningful conversation with the children; your interactive book reading allowed them to share these ideas with each other. The extended activity afterwards of the magnifiers provided by Vanessa was a great extension to the book. The children were so excited to be their very own Bee detectives and really extended their learning.

Vanessa Ryan-Rendall
2021-05-17T03:33:47+00:00

Testimonials - Jack and Jill Kindergarten, Berowra. Thanks so much Vanessa for coming out and sharing your book “The Bee Detectives” with our children 3-5 years old. The experience allowed them to learn so much more about Bees. We have had our native Bees for several years and had beekeepers out before. Your book took an in-depth look into classification, different ways they live, how they collect pollen and make honey.  It created lots of meaningful conversation with the children; your interactive book reading allowed them to share these ideas with each other. The extended activity afterwards of the magnifiers provided by Vanessa was a great extension to the book. The children were so excited to be their very own Bee detectives and really extended their learning.

Author Visit: Jack and Jill Kindergarten Berowra

Thanks so much Vanessa for coming out and sharing your book “The Bee Detectives” with our children 3-5 years old. The experience allowed them to learn so much more about Bees. We have had our native Bees for several years and had beekeepers out before. Your book took an in-depth look into classification, different ways they live, how they collect pollen and make honey.  It created lots of meaningful conversation with the children; your interactive book reading allowed them to share these ideas with each other. The extended activity afterwards of the magnifiers provided by Vanessa was a great extension to the book. The children were so excited to be their very own Bee detectives and really extended their learning. 

Teacher notes written by Vanessa
2021-04-21T02:54:08+00:00

Thanks so much Vanessa for coming out and sharing your book “The Bee Detectives” with our children 3-5 years old. The experience allowed them to learn so much more about Bees. We have had our native Bees for several years and had beekeepers out before. Your book took an in-depth look into classification, different ways they live, how they collect pollen and make honey.  It created lots of meaningful conversation with the children; your interactive book reading allowed them to share these ideas with each other. The extended activity afterwards of the magnifiers provided by Vanessa was a great extension to the book. The children were so excited to be their very own Bee detectives and really extended their learning. 


Georgie Donaghey

I was impressed with Vanessa’s professionalism in preparing the teacher notes for my picture book, In the Shadow of an Elephant. Her depth of knowledge on the multitude of topics covered was just incredible! She has compiled a 15-page document that will allow Educators and students an opportunity to explore conversations and discover different layers within the book.

Georgie Donaghey

Teacher notes written by Vanessa
2020-08-01T07:42:45+00:00

I was impressed with Vanessa’s professionalism in preparing the teacher notes for my picture book, In the Shadow of an Elephant. Her depth of knowledge on the multitude of topics covered was just incredible! She has compiled a 15-page document that will allow Educators and students an opportunity to explore conversations and discover different layers within the book. Georgie Donaghey