"Theo's Poppa was an explorer. He had been everywhere. He kept an old
trunk packed with the pictures, postcards, maps and menus that he had
collected on his adventures." Someday, Theo wants to be an explorer,
too. For now, it's Poppa's birthday, and Theo has planned a special trip
to the beach with him to celebrate. They plot out their course on a map
they've drawn and then take the streetcar to the local beach, where they
stroll in the sand, hunt for stones and slurp gazpacho at the beachside
restaurant. It's a perfect day, and Theo is so happy to have given Poppa
just the right gift. But best of all, Theo has also had her first lesson
in being an explorer: you don't have to travel far from home to have an
adventure! In this heartwarming picture book, popular author Andrew
Larsen has created a rich story that captures the magic of turning an
ordinary day into an adventure. The closeness between Theo and Poppa is
touching, and offers a terrific opportunity for classroom discussions
about family relationships. The emphasis on discovering the world right
outside your door is a wonderful springboard for projects in which
children can do the same in their own communities. With subtle and
imaginative details in the cityscape, the beach and Poppa's home, Irene
Luxbacher's fresh and expressive illustrations add depth to the story.
The endearing Poppa and Theo also star in The Imaginary Garden, written
and illustrated by the same creators.
