Mr. Griggs' Work

By Cynthia Rylant

Book Overview

Mr. Griggs so loves his work at the post office that he thinks of it all the time and everything reminds him of it. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0531057690
• ISBN13: 9780531057698
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Orchard Books
• Length: 30 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.8" x 0.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Mr. Griggs' Work

Mr. Griggs Work:Mr. Griggs' Work, by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Julie Downing, is an example of "true literature." Within this story there are "ideas that go beyond the plot of a...picture-book story...but they are presented subtly and gently; good books do not preach; their ideas are wound into the substance of the book and are clearly a part of the life of the book itself" (Norton 111). Rylant gives a portrait of a man who finds so much passion and love in his work as a postman, that it becomes all he can think of, even if he's sick or is on his day off. Her story "provides the child with a visual experience...[and is] a collective unity of story-line, theme, or concept, developed through a series of pictures" (Caldecott). The combination of Rylant's storyline and Downing's pictures, creates this unity and takes children into the life of Mr. Griggs, where they realize his passion and love for his work. Norton tells us that "children want a book to have a good plot: enough action, excitement, suspense, and conflict to develop interest" (113). In Mr. Griggs' Work, children are given a plot where excitement is created out of what seems a non-exciting profession. Rylant does this through her use of characterization. Mr. Griggs is describes as someone who "loves his job...[and who thinks] about it almost all the time" (Rylant 4). Downing's pictures draw us towards this man and we fall in love with his rosy cheeks and classic blue overalls. "Characterization is one of the most powerful of the literary elements...an author can achieve...a three dimensional character by describing their characters physical appearance, recording the conversations of the character, revealing the characters thoughts, revealing the perceptions of other characters and showing the character in action" (Norton 121). We see the warm reception of Mr. Griggs after his sick day, we hear his thoughts as he remises about times at work, we are shown his curly hair on his balding head and his sweet smile, and we watch him at work giving all he can to his profession as a postman. Rylant and Downing collaborate to do all of this, in order to create a character, which defines the plot, which makes the story that we fall in love with. The setting of this picture book "create[s] moods that add credibility to characters and plot" (Norton 123). Its themes are interlaced with this setting and tie "the plot, characters, and setting together into a meaningful whole" (Norton 127). More importantly children can understand and relate to these themes. More so than adults, children have passion, passion to play, passion to love, and passion to live. Mr. Griggs has all of these things, and because of that, allows children to relate to him. For a child to see such respect and passion given to a profession leads them to what they love. Children may view jobs like being a postman as less than desirable. However, when authors like Cynthia Rylant put a face to the profession, c

An excellent read-aloud for an author study .

My class of first graders loved this story and they found the illustations adorable. The children fell as in love with Mr. Griggs as he was with his work. The illustrations helped the children invision Mr. Griggs' great love for his work, but also showed the humor in the story. This is a great story to use during a study of Cynthia Rylant in a primary classroom.

A cute story about a man who loves his job.

This is a very cute story about a postal worker who loves his job. He gets sick and has to miss a day of work and is very worried about his post office. He is so filled with joy upon his return to work that I just had to smile! It is refreshing to read about someone who loves the work that he does.