A sweet story about a young boy and his grandfather who, through the seasons, watch the life cycle of kingfisher birds. The grandfather explains about death as nature's way. Through a parallel story, readers see the human life cycle when the boy watches the kingfishers a year later and says he wishes his grandfather were there because he would have loved to see the kingfisher chick all grown up. While the child says he misses his grandfather, it subtly stated with the bigger message that death is a part of nature and nature goes on. The writing is carefully and slowly paced using a balance of description, dialogue, and action by the birds. Even stronger is the beautiful illustration by Sarah Massini. In what looks like a blend of watercolors and pencil, the kingfishers and backgrounds come to life. The earthen tones create pleasing palettes for each of the seasons.

As a bonus, Nosy Crow Publishers offers a free audio reading of the book via a QR code. The narrator Massoud Milus (sp) expertly tells the story with well-crafted sound effects and music in the background. The audio reading includes a sound to indicate when readers should turn the page making it accessible to young readers wanting to tackle this book independently.

This would make a great pairing with Caldecott Honor winner Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program in exchange for an honest review. ( )

This book is beautifully written and illustrated! The story is so sweet and sad, yet true and beautiful and good. Shows the circle of life in nature and in our own lives.

A child and their grandpa spend time on the water and watch a kingfisher family change over the seasons. Many trips are made together and grandpa changes as well. Grandpa explains that the lifecycle of the kingfisher is part of nature and nature includes death. After grandpa dies (implied by the text, not explicitly), the child visits the water alone, remembering their grandpa and that "Nature goes on forever."

The adult kingfisher die after their brood departs in this book. The parallel between wildlife and people may be better suited for a species that only lives one year, along with the explanation about differences in lifespan.

The book jacket is labeled with a QR code that links to an read along audio version of the text. ( )

Beautifully illustrated children’s book about the life cycle of living things. Kingfishers are remarkably blue and white birds. The grandfather explains that they build a nest and lay eggs. After the eggs hatch, the parents feed them until they can survive on their own and then they fly away. All living things eventually die, even grandfathers. “Nature goes on like this. Nature goes on forever.” ( )

Grandpa and the Kingfisher is beautifully illustrated. Each page has little hidden details in the illustrations that could also serve as a seek-and-find as folks read this with children. The story is wonderful, following a year in the life cycle of a kingfisher via a grandpa and grandchild. ( )