Grandparent's Day September 12, 2010
There are over 70 million grandparents in the United States--significantly more than the 17 million in 1978, when President Carter declared the national holiday. Celebrated the first Sunday after Labor Day, this holiday commemorates the magical relationship between grandparents and grandchildren--a bond that gives great joy to all parties. This year why not trade favorite books? Share a classic children's book from your past and in return discover what new books children are excited about today.
Make some selections from the following books to read with those special little people in your life...even if you have to "adopt" a grandchild these are all great fun to share.
If you are looking for some special activities to share with grandchildren then visit these sites:
http://www.aarp.org/families/grandparents/
http://www.grandparents.com/gp/topics/national-grandparents-day.html
http://www.grandparents-day.com
Contributor: Emily Griffin
Reviews
Amelia Bedelia’s First Apple Pie
Herman Parish
Illustrated by Lynne Avril
Some readers may already be familiar with Amelia Bedelia, the Rogers’ maid, but what was Amelia Bedelia like as a young girl? Read this funny story about young Amelia Bedelia as she visits her grandparents. Her grandmother is going to teach her how to make an apple pie. Find out who, or rather what, Granny Smith is when Amelia wonders how Granny Smith will help with the baking project. Amelia’s literal perspective will have readers laughing and giggling. Even as a young girl, Amelia helps to save a crisis with her culinary creation. There are illustrations throughout the book. At the back of the book is an apple pie recipe so you can create your own dessert. The author of this book is the nephew of Peggy Parish, the creator of the “Amelia Bedelia” series. Enjoy the other books in the “Amelia Bedelia Picture Book” series and chuckle at her antics when she was a young girl. 2010, Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 4 to 8, $16.99. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-06-196409-1
ISBN: 978-0-06-196410-7
The Ballad of Knuckles McGraw
The Ballad of Knuckles McGraw
When eight-year-old Kevin Mason opens his thrift-shop Wagon Train lunchbox one day at school, he finds his single mother’s note: “Please look after my son. I can’t take care of him any more.” As he is taken by the welfare lady to his new foster home to await possible reunification with the maternal grandparents he never remembers ever having met, he re-creates himself as legendary cowboy Knuckles McGraw, who rides across the wild plains toward the sun with his faithful steed Burlington Northern. While Kevin’s poignant escape into fantasy is believably developed, the shape of this story, several decades after the publication of Katherine Paterson’s The Great Gilly Hopkins, with its many imitators, is by now extremely familiar. Kevin’s companions in foster care are predictably damaged, difficult, and oddly named--Breezy, who has been mute ever since the death of her parents; and tattooed and pierced Ice, who of course has a kind heart under his tough exterior. Kevin predictably comes to care for both of them in his short time with his foster family and predictably leaves them better able to face the challenge of new life with his grandparents and he is able to let go of his Knuckles McGraw identity to return to being Kevin Mason once again. 2010, Orca, $7.95. Ages 8 to 11. Reviewer: Claudia Mills, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781554692033
ISBN: 1554692032
Grand
Marla Stewart Konrad
Grand is part of the World Vision Early Reader Series. All royalties from the sale of Grand go to support World Vision’s work with children. World Vision is a development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Grand is a picture book of warm and heartfelt photographs of children and their grandparents. The author uses the word ‘grand’ not only in reference to the grandparents but also to the fact that a child’s relationship with a grandparent is indeed grand. “Grandma and Grandpa love me?. And that’s really grand!” Grandparents and children are from a variety of cultures. The activities, background, dress and ages change from photograph to photograph but there is a consistency in every picture; each photograph depicts family ties and love. There is a wealth of information in each picture. “Sometimes we like to do chores together.” is accompanied by four pictures: the first of a grandmother and children washing clothes by hand in basins outside; the second of grandmother and grandson cutting wood manually; the third grandmother and grandchild cooking outside; and fourth grandmother and granddaughter selling onions. The simple text is powerful in its content: “Grandparents might be very old, but they are very wise too.” Grandparents guide children and children help grandparents. “We depend on each other.” Grand, as well as the rest of the series of World Vision Early Readers, is highly recommended for both school and public libraries. World Vision offers guided reading activities on its web page to accompany the early readers. (World Vision Early Reader Series) Category: Picture Books. Thematic Links: Grandparents; Children; Families; World Vision Canada. Resource Links Rating: E (Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!), Gr. Preschool - 2. 2010, Tundra Books, 24p., Illus., Hdbk. $14.99. Ages 2 to 8. Reviewer: Laura Reilly (Resource Links, April 2010 (Vol. 15, No. 4)).
ISBN: 9780887769979
ISBN: 0887769977
Grandma Comes to Stay
Ifeoma Onyefulu
Three-year-old Stephanie is exited because her grandmother is coming to visit. We follow her as she and her mother prepare for the visit, and we observe what she and her grandmother do together before she has to leave. Children of every culture can identify with this little girl in Ghana. While the specifics of the marketplace and the traditional dress may be different, the kinds of things that every child enjoys with a grandmother remain the same. This is a joyful celebration. The crisp, full-color photographs show their apartment, the marketplace, and drummers at a festival. The bond between Stephanie and her Grandma comes through beautifully in the photos. True to her three-year-old age, Stephanie shows off all the things she can do: kick a ball, ride a bike, “use a counting book,” play with her dolls, and more. She and Grandma share a story together as well. Preschool teachers will welcome this as a good conversation starter about grandmothers. It is a warm and loving look at the relationship between grandmother and granddaughter. 2009, Frances Lincoln, Ages 2 to 5, $17.95. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-84507-865-2
Grandparents Raising Kids
Rae Simons
Simons describes the difficulties that are involved between children and the grandparents who are raising them. Each of the five chapters honestly describes actual situations where youngsters are residing with grandparents. The reasons for such living arrangements are varied and include parents who are in prison, those who have died, or those who cannot cope with the task of bringing up children. Sidebars define terms used in the text. At the end of each chapter are discussion questions relating to the material covered in the preceding pages. The book also contains colored drawings, photos, and reproductions of paintings that help explain the points made by the author, all of which greatly add to the book’s attractiveness. Readers and adults wanting further information can use the Internet sources, the bibliography of magazine articles, or the other books listed in the final section that is titled “Find Out More.” Guidance counselors and children who are living with grandparents are certain to find this book useful. This title is part of the “The Changing Face of Modern Families” series. 2009, Mason Crest Publishers, $22.95. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Sylvia Firth (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781422214961
ISBN: 9781422214961
I Call My Grandma Nana
Ashley Wolff
When the teacher’s Chinese grandmother visits her class, the teacher asks each student to draw a picture of his or her grandmother, explain what they like to do together and what “grandma” is called. Students in this multicultural classroom share names from other languages as well as their own creative terms of endearment. Colorful collage illustrations with interesting details show the child and grandmother engaged in an activity. Some are seen indoors folding paper cranes, sewing, cooking and playing with a wooden train set. Others are outdoors engaged in bird-watching, swimming, watching the stars, and planting a garden. One child has a substitute grandmother next door because her own grandmother lives so far away. Another child has four grandmothers. Interesting details in the illustrations will engage the young listener. The rhyming text reflects the celebratory mood. What is especially nice about this is that it is not just a listing of names but it also shows the individuality of grandmothers and their interests. The inside back cover includes “Some Grandmother Names from Around the World” and there is a second list of some of the author’s favorite names. 2009, Tricycle Press, Ages 3 to 7, $15.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-58246-251-6
ISBN: 1-58246-251-8
My Abuelita
Tony Johnston
Illustrated by Yuyi Morales
A young boy who lives with his grandmother describes how she gets ready for work every day, along with him and her cat, Frida Kahlo. With humor and some repetitions, he reports how they limber up, bathe, have breakfast; then she yodels to warm up her voice, and they join her. He has to remind her to get dressed and to take what she needs for work, unusual things like a plumed snake, stalks of maize, and a king and a queen. Off they drive in her jalopy. It is then that he tells her that she is finally ready, and we discover his abuelita surrounded by boys and girls, ready to begin her work as storyteller with, “Once upon a time….” Morales visualizes this happy, affection-filled tale in settings with characters created “with polymer clay, wire, felting wool, acrylic paints, fabric, wood, metals, and Mexican crafts,” all worth examining and discovering with pleasure. There is an attractive, pinch-able quality to the characters; even the cat exudes personality. The visual story evolves on double pages with settings only suggested. The love of grandson and grandmother are clearly expressed. The meaning of the Spanish words is clear in context. 2009, Harcourt Children’s Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, $16.00. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Pura Belpre Award, 2010 Honor Book Illustrator United States
ISBN: 9780152163303
ISBN: 0152163301
Our Grandparents: A Global Album
Maya Ajmera, Sheila Kinkade, and Cynthia Pon
Children from all over the world have more in common than they often realize. One shared element is the bond that children share with their grandparents. This book begins with two pages of the words “grandpa” and “grandma” written in many different languages. The following page is a poignant forward from Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In it he talks about the gift of grandchildren and the elder’s role and responsibility in helping children bridge the present and the past. The balance of the book consists of a single sentence on each page that explains the special role of a grandparent, such as “Grandparents teach us what they know.” The photographs that accompany each sentence are extraordinary. They feature kids from countries as varied as Japan, Greenland, Yemen, Pakistan, and Italy engaged in a one on one activity with a grandparent. The book concludes by listing five things that young readers can do with their grandparents, such as learn about their family. The text and the photographs are moving and this book is highly recommended, especially as a source for introducing children to other cultures and for valuing diversity. 2010, Charlesbridge, $16.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Denise Daley (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781570914584
ISBN: 1570914583
The Perfect Gift
Mary Newell DePalma
Lori, a small lorikeet, found a perfect strawberry the bigger lorikeets overlooked. And she knew the perfect person to have it--her grandma. But Lori grew tired as she flew with the berry, so she stopped to rest. Unfortunately, the strawberry rolled and hopped and plopped into the river where it sank to the bottom. A chipmunk heard Lori crying but, though she tried, could not retrieve the berry since chipmunks are not very big. Next came a goose who tried to help but alas her neck was not long enough to reach the river’s bottom. Finally came a frog, who swam to the river’s bottom and brought back the strawberry. He also brought back a crocodile, though he hadn’t meant to. The crocodile scoops up Lori, chipmunk, goose, and frog in his toothy mouth and means to swallow them. Quick thinking Lori saves them all when she tosses her strawberry in the air. Greedy Mr. Crocodile opens his mouth to catch the berry and the four friends jump out to safety. At first Lori is sad she could not take the strawberry to Grandma, but then she comes up with the perfect solution. The four friends write and illustrate a story about their adventure. Grandma says it is the perfect gift. Sweet story with nice illustrations. 2010, Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic Inc, $16.99. Ages 2 to 6. Reviewer: Sarah Maury Swan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780545154024
ISBN: 9780545154031
ISBN: 0545154022
ISBN: 0545154030
Road to Tater Hill
Edith M. Hemingway
The death of a child touches a wide circle of people. In this book, the author does a wonderful job of exploring the effects of that loss. More than the story of the death of a sister, the book also evokes the emotions involved in many relationships and the far-reaching changes that can take place. Spending the summer in the North Carolina mountains with her grandparents and her mother, eleven-year-old Annie goes from little girl to young adolescent as she learns about grief, friendship, and family. Annie befriends a mysterious mountain woman who has dealt with her own grief. Annie also learns that even a young neighbor boy is not unaffected by her family’s loss. Because of their own grief, her mother and grandparents are not always able to provide her with comfort. The readers get a look at American life in the 1960’s and much to identify with. This is a very moving and well-told story. 2009, Delacorte Press/Random House, $16.99. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Sue Poduska (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780385736770
ISBN: 9780385906272
ISBN: 0385906277
Silas’ Seven Grandparents
Anita Horrocks
Illustrated by Helen Flook
Silas enjoys the time and attention he receives from seven grandparents. Since he is the only grandchild, he receives seven cakes on his birthday, much care when he is sick, and goes on many outings over a long July weekend. When Silas’ parents go away, he can stay at a variety of places: Nana’s city loft, Opa’s garden house, or by a golf course. Silas’ mother tells him that he must decide where he is going to stay. Silas knows he cannot be in seven places at once. So he devises a clever solution when his parents leave--his grandparents can stay with him. The pen and acrylic ink drawings suit the wealth of attention that Silas receives and the different settings for each grandparent. The bright colors keep the story cheerful and allow for subtle details that distinguish each grandparent and Silas. The story might have been helped by showing how these older adults are related to Silas. However, it is refreshing to see a story showing active, involved grandparents. Silas sounds at times far wiser than the adults but that may appeal to savvy kindergarten or first-grade readers. 2010, Orca Book Publishers, Ages 5 to 7, $19.95. Reviewer: Elizabeth Fronk (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-55143-561-9
Sleepover at Gramma’s House
Barbara Joosse
Illustrated by Jan Jutte
Whee! It’s time for an overnight visit to Gramma’s house, which is one of the narrator’s favorite (“Goodie goodie goodie”) things. Once at Gramma’s, it’s a round of playful delights, from running through paper taped over the doorway, to having a festive tea party complete with party hats for all, including the dog, to some quickie reverse-role bedtime stories. While there’s pleasure enough just in those entertaining components, the real charm here lies in Joosse’s poetic style. The text ebulliently romps along with nimbly structured repetition and musical soundplay (“and I’m bouncing bouncing bouncing/ and I’m flipping off my shoesies/ and I’m rolling down my socksies/ and I’m sighing/ and I’m singing”), words tumbling over themselves like eager puppies, only to pause in dramatic rapture with the repeated refrain “Oh. We love each other so.” It’s a joyous, delicious readaloud, awash in celebratory gaiety, that hearkens back to the modernism of Margaret Wise Brown in its kid-friendly revelry with the language itself. Sturdy, perky, and sweet, the orderly illustrations, composed in ink, watercolor and acrylic, balance their matter-of-fact style with invitingly imaginative details. The featured family is an elephant clan, and their world is filled with amusing multispecies passersby, such as a monkey riding an ostrich down the city streets or a bowler-hatted duck walking staunchly down a country lane (the rural birds generally have a charming tendency toward formality in dress). Grandmas will flock to this one with their adoring grandkids in tow Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2010, Philomel, 36p.; Reviewed from galleys, $17.99. Ages 2-5 yrs. Reviewer: Deborah Stevenson (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, June 2010 (Vol. 63, No. 10)).
ISBN: 9780399252617
ISBN: 0399252614
You Are My Wish
Maryann Cusimano Love
Illustrated by Satomi Ichikawa
Every page of this dear tale of a grandmother bear and grandchild bear overflows with familial love and joy in both words and illustrations. The language is lovely and lyrical, as metaphors poetically describe first the grandparent and then the grandchild. Often the comparison is complementary, such as “I am your home-baked bread / you are my grape jelly” or phrased in terms of a contrast, such as “I am your wise face / you are my new-tooth smile.” As beautiful as the language is, the illustrations are equally charming. Grandmother and grandchild sing to each other, the grandma bear gazing fondly at the open-mouthed, tune-belting child bear. They stare expectantly together into the pond after throwing in a penny with a wish. They snuggle under a tree for a catnap as the grandmother says, “I am your good-night prayer / you are my fast asleep.” A slow and sleepy ending makes this book suitable for bedtime reading. Page after page celebrates intergenerational affection with warmth and beauty. The story may prompt discussions with readers about time spent with grandparents and the ways children connect with older generations. 2010, Philomel Books/Penguin Young Readers Group, Ages 4 to 8, $16.99. Reviewer: Michele C. Hughes (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-399-24752-1
Your Daddy Was Just Like You
Kelly Bennett
Illustrated by David Walker
Children love to hear stories about themselves as babies, and they also enjoy following in their parents’ footsteps. The little boy in this book is no exception, as he revels in hearing tales of his father’s childhood and the ways he was “just like you.” This refrain by his paternal grandmother lends itself to the child’s participation when the book is read aloud. Grandma describes various activities that speak to the father’s mastery of tasks, such as crawling, walking, talking, going to school, learning math, playing ball, and overcoming his fear of the dark. These comparisons serve to empower the boy in the story as he hears about his father’s growth, which represents his own bright future. Some of the father’s antics, such as sitting in time out or losing a ballgame, show the boy that his father had some tough times of growth, exactly like he does. There are also comical parts, such as when the father is singing in the bathtub or raising “a ruckus.” Perhaps as homage to Maurice Sendak’s naughty little Max in Where the Wild Things Are, the father, too, is punished for his wild misdeeds, and pictured with a Max-like hat made from a cooking pan. This sweet book champions enduring love from generation to generation. Layered acrylic paint illustrations with soft, visible brush strokes make this book a soothing and suitable story for bedtime. It is surprising how much emotion is masterfully conveyed in the characters’ faces, despite their dots for eyes and simple features. 2010, G. P. Putnam’s Sons/Penguin Young Readers Group, Ages 4 to 8, $16.99. Reviewer: Michele C. Hughes (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-399-25258-7
For reviews of books on grandparents from previous years, click on the following links.
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2002
2001
Updated 08/16/10
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