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Children's Fiction Multigenerational

The Green Baby Swing

by (author) Thomas King

illustrated by Yong Ling Kang

Publisher
Tundra
Initial publish date
May 2024
Category
Multigenerational, Death & Dying, Parents
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780735269361
    Publish Date
    May 2024
    List Price
    $24.99

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Where to buy it

Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels

  • Age: 3 to 7
  • Grade: p to 2

Description

A tender picture book about loss, intergenerational love and the power of family keepsakes, from acclaimed author Thomas King and for fans of Memory Jars.

After Nana passes away, Xavier, his mother and Comet the kitten all head up to Nana's attic to help clean it up.

At first, Xavier is a little nervous. Though there are no dragons up there, it looks like a dragon's cave — it's gloomy, dusty and full of cobwebs. But as Xavier explores the attic, he discovers all kinds of interesting things:

An old tricycle
Two monkeys made out of coconuts
A scrapbook full of photographs
A rocking horse with gold and red stars stuck to its neck

At the bottom of one box, Xavier finds a strange piece of fabric. It's thick, soft and green, and it makes his mother's eyes wet with memories.

As Xavier learns more about this keepsake, he discovers more about his family and himself in this gorgeous picture book about intergenerational love and the power of memory.

About the authors

Thomas King, who is of Cherokee and Greek descent, is an award-winning novelist, short story writer, scriptwriter, and photographer. His first novel, Medicine River, won several awards, including the PEN/Josephine Miles Award and the Writers Guild of Alberta Award, and was shortlisted for the 1991 Commonwealth Writers' Prize. It was also made into a CBC television movie. Green Grass, Running Water, his second novel, was shortlisted for the 1993 Governor General's Award and won the 1994 Canadian Authors Award for fiction. His highly praised short story collection, One Good Story, That One, was a Canadian bestseller, and his collection of Massey Lectures, The Truth About Stories, won the 2003 Trillium Book Award. He has also written three acclaimed children's books: A Coyote Columbus Story, Coyote Sings to the Moon, and Coyote's New Suit. Thomas King lives in Guelph, Ontario, and is an Associate Professor of English (teaching Native literature and creative writing) at the University of Guelph.

Thomas King's profile page

YONG LING KANG is an illustrator who grew up in Singapore and is now based in Toronto, Ontario. She is fascinated by storytelling, and has honed her craft through picture books, Manga, cartoons, and formal schooling in an animation program. She has illustrated several picture books, including The Midnight Club, This House Is Home, and William's Getaway.

 

Yong Ling Kang's profile page

Editorial Reviews

PRAISE FOR The Green Baby Swing:
"An affecting, supportive portrayal of navigating loss and the ways love and family connection endure." —STARRED REVIEW, Booklist

"A tender tale that pulls generations together." Kirkus Reviews

"The Green Baby Swing is recommended for young readers to enjoy with their caregivers, and it could encourage them to explore their own family stories." CM: Canadian Review of Materials

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