Reviews - Opa & Oma Together

I liked the way the little boy was disappearing at the edge of the picture on the cover—leading you into the book and its story—made you want to follow him to see what he was up to.  I really think this is an outstanding picture book.  The large, clear illustrations support and accompany the story and offer extra interest for read alouds.  I was drawn to the tiny illustrations under the text and feel they added greatly to the story.  The changes in the appearances of the characters in the story are in perfect sync with the illustrations and make it a most satisfying reading experience.  What a wonderful example of life and its changes and how life changes can make life different but still beautiful and rewarding.

―Barbara Geiger, President (reviews only children’s books) Learning Explorations

"You don’t have to have grown up on a farm to appreciate Opa & Oma Together, a picture book recently published by Northfield resident Patrick “Packy” Mader.  The setting is a rural Minnesota farm and Mader draws on his family’s German heritage, but the story is really about the joys of family, no matter where you live.

The story opens by introducing readers to Opa and Oma, or grandpa and grandma in German.  They are surrounded by grandchildren in a crowded and happy farm kitchen.  They are tied to the land they work and the home they keep—together.  The story is simply told in rhythmic language young readers will enjoy.

Andrew Holmquist provided the illustrations for the book.  Brightly colored and with simple lines, the illustrations stand up to repeated viewing.  There’s often something not immediately noticeable that grabs the reader’s attention, such as a child stealing a cookie in the background or smoke rising from an old-fashioned tractor.  Holmquist shows Opa and Oma’s aging honestly and beautifully.

―Mary Schier, editor Friends of the Northfield Public Library Newsletter

Anyone with rural ties will savor Opa & Oma Together, a picture book that captures the essence of life on a small Midwest family farm.  In simplistic style, this title delivers a tug-at-the-heartstrings message…While written for young children, Opa & Oma Together certainly appeals to all ages.

Review by Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Moments, July/August 2006 issue

Opa & Oma Together by Patrick Mader is a lovely picture book about grandparents as they grow old together on their farm. Mader says that Opa is the German word for grandpa and Oma is German for grandma. The book shows glimpses of this couple's life, from when they first moved to their farm and raised animals and crops to when they had children and fed their hungry brood. We see them alone when the children are gone and later with a houseful when grandchildren begin to appear. We see Opa leaving his tractor in the barn and only coaxing growth out of a fine vegetable garden, while Oma continues to bake and quilt for grandchildren now.

Andrew Holmquist's illustrations bring this couple to life, through all of the seasons of their time together. The paintings could be from any farm in the heartland of this country, but are very reminiscent of areas in the Great Plains. The most touching painting is the last page, showing a close-up of Opa and Oma holding hands. There are wrinkles, Oma's gold wedding ring, and Opa's thumb even sports a bandaid, a testament to his legacy of hard work.

Opa & Oma Together is a tender look at companionship and a life committed to each other.

Myshelf.com, Janie Franz, reviewer