As Lucas talks with Jack, he discovers that Jack used to be a farmer and his farm was actually on the same land where the retirement home is now situated. He discovers that the old man in the wheelchair used to be a detective and the even older lady practising tai chi used to be a ballerina who danced for the queen.
It can be difficult for children to understand the concept of aging – that their grandparents and great grandparents weren’t always old and that they had different jobs and hobbies when they were younger. Lucas and Jack is a lovely story that bridges the generations and prompts children to consider that the older people they know have had active and interesting lives.
Even as Jack’s conversation motivates Lucas to ask his Great Grandpop, ‘before you were old, what did you do?’, children reading this story could be encouraged to ask older friends and family about their childhood hobbies, jobs and interests, perhaps discovering surprising connections and similarities.
A great book for home and the classroom. There are teachers’ notes available for this book.
Author: Ellie Royce
Illustrator: Andrew McLean
Publisher: Working Title Press, $24.99 RRP
Publication Date: June 2014
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781921504662
For ages: 4 - 7
Type: Picture Book
