Big Papa and the Time Machine
Big Papa and the Time Machine

Big Papa and the Time Machine

Written by Daniel Bernstrom & illustrated by Shane W. Evans
Hardcover
$17.99
$16.97
4 - 8
Reading age
40
Page count
19
Words per page
~348L
Lexile measure
Jan 14, 2020
Publication date

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What Does Bookroo Think of This Book

A loving grandfather shares from his personal history to help his grandson in this masterful work about fear, bravery, and family.

When a young boy is scared to start school, he receives a much needed visit from his Big Papa, who takes him on an inspiring and instructive journey in his “time machine”: a pristine 1950s era antique car complete with whitewall tires. The boy and Big Papa travel to five important moments in Big Papa’s life—including the night he met his wife and the day the little boy’s mom left him as a baby with Big Papa—when Big Papa himself was scared. Big Papa beautifully describes how he responded to these moments with bravery: “[S]ometimes you gotta jump in an ocean of scared if you ever gonna dance with an angel,” and “Sometimes you gotta love the unexpected if you ever gonna find love at all.” Bernstrom masterfully weaves oral histories into an answer to a present day problem, and his skillful touch of Ebonics conveys character while making the story easy to read aloud. Evans, whose impressionistic illustrations are done in mixed and digital media, alkyd paint, and pen, beautifully depicts past and present simultaneously, with a pastel color scheme that seamlessly differentiates between the ethereal past and the concrete present. Both Bernstrom and Evans describe in touching endnotes their personal connection with the story, a connection that readers will notice in this inspiring, remarkable book.

Where Does This Book Stand Out

  • Heartstrings

    The “Heartstrings” badge is awarded to books that provoke an exceptionally tender emotional response.

  • Heritage

    The “Heritage” badge is awarded to exceptional books celebrating personal heritage and family history.

What Questions Should I Ask My Child

  • Big Papa shares a number of times when he had to be brave even though he felt scared. When is a time you chose to be brave when you felt scared?
  • The boy in the story was discouraged from studying. Today, many children have much better opportunities to study and gain an education. What is your favorite subject to study? What subject is hard?

Reviews

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    5.75

    Big Papa takes his grandson on a loving, heartfelt, and relatable journey through his past experiences to help his grandson acknowledge his feelings and inspire bravery. I love Big Papa's kind, authentic, and pure sharing with his grandson, as well as the example of how family history and family members can strengthen, share, and buoy up family members. Overall, a beautiful book full of history, tender feelings, love, and beautiful illustrations that are somehow soft and vibrant all at once.

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    This story was a great reminder of how helpful it is to tell stories to our children our own experiences of being brave. Taking time to talk with them is sometimes all that is needed to help them understand and handle their emotions.

Book Lists That Include This Book

The Creatives Behind the Book

    Author
    Daniel Bernstrom

    Daniel Bernstrom is the author of two previous picture books for children, One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree, illustrated by Brendan Wenzel, and Gator, Gator, Gator!, illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon. Daniel and his wife and their children live in Minnesota. Learn more about him at www.lillylabs.com.

    Illustrator
    Shane W. Evans

    Shane W. Evans loves to dream. First he dreamed of opening his own art studio. He did that in 2007. Shane’s books include We March; Olu’s Dream; and Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom, a 2012 Coretta Scott King Medalist. When he isn’t on the road, Shane dreams at home in Kansas City, MO. Visit him online at www.shaneevans.com.

Trivia to Know About This Book

What Has Daniel Bernstrom Said About This Book

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Book Details

ISBN
9780062463319
Publication Date
January 14, 2020
Publisher
HarperCollins
Original Publication Date
January 14, 2020
Illustration Details
The artist used patience, skill, mixed media, pen, alkyd paint, and digital media tools to create this book.
Page Count
40
Words Per Page
19
Audience
Picture
Reading Age
4 - 8 years
Est. Lexile® Level
~348L
Est. Fountas & Pinnell Level
~K
ATOS® Book Level
2.5
Accelerated Reader® Points
0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz
509053
Accelerated Reader Interest Level
LG

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Core Score - 45%

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Depth Score - 68%

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