Month: September 2020

Bookshelf

When I was two, almost three, I stayed with my grandparents for 14 days.  Those two weeks left a big impact on me and that time is one of my earliest life memories.  My grandmother had a big garden and a large strawberry patch.  Every day I was able to help her pick strawberries and we would eat them as they were picked … and every night we ate strawberries for dessert.  Oh, how I loved those strawberries, and to this day I LOVE freshly picked strawberries!

The love grandparents share is oftentimes so very special. In honor of Grandparent’s Day, I’m sharing books that celebrate grandparents.  However, you don’t need a special holiday to enjoy these books because they are ones that can be enjoyed all year long!

Finding Grandma’s Memories by Jiyeon Pak

In this sweet book, Grandma is beginning to lose her memory.  Through a simple, but thoughtful storyline a granddaughter shows grace and compassion by posting reminders around the house, making a chain for her grandmother’s glasses, and looking through photo albums together.  She especially loves picking out a favorite teacup from her grandmother’s collection to share special tea-time with her grandmother.  This book would be wonderful to help a family with young children to address the issue of memory loss or dementia. Although my grandmother did not suffer from memory loss, I found this book special because my grandmother had a teacup collection.  Jiyeon Pak also wrote a book titled My Grandpa’s Chair that I’ve not read, but from the description looks pretty great too! 

Around the Table that Grandad Built by Melanie Heuiser Hill and illustrated by Jaime Kim

I love this book for so many reasons (including the diversity around the family table), but it is especially great for those with a grandpa who is a woodworker or builds wonderful creations.  I shared more about this book on my Father’s Day book list, so you can read more about it here.

Drawn Together by Minh Le and illustrated by Dan Santat

Sometimes the gap between generations feels so wide, almost too wide to find common interest.  This incredibly illustrated book by Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat has very few words and could almost be categorized as a wordless picture book, showcasing two people separated by culture, language, and age.  But some books do not need many words to tell a story, especially when a grandfather and grandson are drawn together by their love of art.  I love this book so much and find some new detail with every read – making it the perfect book to read again and again.

Tiny, Perfect Things by M. H. Clark and illustrated by Madeline Kloepper

This book has a simple, rhyming text and beautifully drawn illustrations that follow a grandfather and granddaughter as they walk together, soaking in all of the tiny, perfect things along the way. The book includes a foldout two-page spread near the end with a search and find section for you to find your own little details. I also love the cultural diversity featured in the illustrations.  This book is a delight!

Hey Grandude! By Paul McCartney and illustrated by Kathryn Durst

Ready for a little fun and adventure?  The day is dreary and dull until Grandude pulls out his magical compass and takes his “Chillers” (what he lovingly calls his grandkids) on a magical adventure to far away places.  With whimsy and fun, this book will take you on a wild ride, but will have you back home again … just in time for bed.

Grandpa’s Stories: A Book of Remembering by Joseph Coelho and Allison Collpoys

With bright and cheerful illustrations, this may be the most beautifully illustrated book about loss I’ve ever read.  Not everyone can hug and squeeze their grandparent … and especially holidays that celebrate grandparents may be bittersweet.  Yet, this book is truly about remembering and celebrating each season and keeping wonderful memories alive.  Grandpa’s Stories could be a special part of the healing process and I agree that this story “shows how losing a loved one can be an invitation to celebrate life.”

My Singing Nana by Pat Mora and illustrated by Alyssa Bermudez

Are you familiar with Magination Press?  They are books for kids published by the American Psychological Association.  Their books often deal with heavier topics at an age-appropriate level and often include additional notes and resources for parents or educators at the back.  My Singing Nana is a lovely book about a family dealing with dementia.  I appreciate the caring and compassionate way they address this topic, treating Nana with love and respect.  Check out additional resources at maginationpress.org

Grandma Gatewood Hikes the Appalachian Trail by Jennifer Thermes

This book is not your typical book about grandmother.  At the age of sixty-seven, Emma “Grandma” Gatewood became the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian train (2,160 miles) alone!  Amazingly illustrated with colored pencil and watercolors, this book is a wonderful story packed full of facts for non-fiction fans of any age.  I learned so much reading this book, but I love that it showcases how grit and determination does not have an age limit!

Grandma Snuggles by Glenys Nellist and illustrated by Gail Yerrill

This lovely, poetic board book features a variety of grandma animals loving on little ones.  This book brings out all the warm fuzzies.  For a full review, you can read more about this delightful little book here.

Quiet by Tomie dePaola

“To be quiet and still is a special thing.” In a world where everything is in such a hurry, grandfather takes time to sit with his grandchildren outside to show them the wonderful things you notice when you are quiet and still.  As a fan of Tomie dePaola, I stand in awe at his many works and the creativity he brought to life in books time and gain.  His passing this year has left a huge hole in the world of children’s literature!  You can read more about his life, art, and books at his official website here.

Down by the River by Andrew Weiner and illustrated by April Chu

This realistically illustrated book is a beautiful story about a grandfather, mother, and grandson who spend the day fly fishing together.  Both informative and sentimental, grandfather enjoys sharing stories while teaching his grandson about his craft.  There’s’ also a section at the back to teach the reader all about fly fishing, and the end papers include over 40 amazingly illustrated flies (which are the fancy “hooks” used instead of lures or bait). 

All reviews are completely my own and I only recommend books I truly believe are worthy of sharing with others. (Believe me, I read many books I do not recommend, which means you won’t see me writing about them!)

This post contains affiliate links. This means if you use these links to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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Bookshelf

When individuals ask for book recommendations that feature grandparents, picture books are often the first that come to mind. Recently though, I’ve read some great middle grade books that really highlight the relationship between a grandparent and grandchild. Although the main storyline or plot may not be the grandparent relationship, they often provide some really great underlying themes and discussions about aging, as well as making relationships with grandparents a priority.

Roll with it

Roll with It by Jamie Sumner

Ellie is a girl who loves to bake.  The fact that she has cerebral palsy and lives her life in a wheelchair is not going to hold her back.  Roll with It is a treasure for many reasons, but when Ellie’s mom makes the decision that they will temporarily move in with her grandparents to help them navigate her grandpa’s dementia, I appreciated the relationship portrayed between Ellie and her grandmother. This realistic fiction has the power to open the reader’s eyes to seeing the world through an entirely new lens and I LOVE that!  Even more, kids in wheelchairs will find a wonderful and realistic role-model in Ellie.

Song for a Whale

Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly

Continuing on the theme of opening eyes to a new perspective, Song for a Whale does just that.  Iris has an incredibly special relationship with her grandma and plays an integral role in helping her work through some of her grief after the loss of her grandpa.  They also share a special bond because they are both deaf.  You can read more about this amazing book here.

The Length of a String by Elissa Brent Weissman

This book is a lovely blend of historical and modern fiction, interweaving Imani’s modern-day tale with the story of Anna, her great-grandmother who journeyed alone to New York from Luxembourg when the Nazi’s first began their occupation of her homeland.  When Amani’s grandmother passes away and they are clearing out her home, Imani finds Anna’s old diary.  Although Imani never knew her great-grandmother, there’s a common bond when she discovers her great-grandmother was adopted too and Anna’s journal (and experiences) help Imani navigate as she searches for her own identity.

Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt 

Set on beautiful Cape Cod, Delsie lives with her grammy in a little neighbor as year-round residents.  Delsie has never really thought of herself as an orphan until a friend asks her advice in preparing for her role as Annie in the summer playhouse production.  Dealing with feelings of abandonment, Delsie tries to understand more of her past, while navigating the often tricky middle-grade relationships of the present.  Through it all, she truly comes to understand the true meaning of family and acceptance.

Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina

Seaward Pines Academy is home to many students who have big homes and take extravagant vacations, but that’s not the case for all students.  Some are on scholarship, like Merci Suárez.  This alone often complicates things for her at school.  Merci lives with her extended family in three little homes they lovingly refer to as “Las Casitas.” In this story, their close-knit family also deals with the tricky reality that many families navigate when Lolo, her grandfather, becomes forgetful and his episodes of confusion start putting himself (and others) in harm’s way.  As Merci navigates changes and difficulties (and successes) at school, the theme of overcoming obstacles when supported by a loving family certainly persists.

Smart Cookie by Elly Swartz

Frankie helps her dad run a Bed and Breakfast, and just like Gram’s amazing cookies they make for their guests every morning, she knows every great recipe needs all the right ingredients.  But her family is missing an important one – a mom.  Although Frankie has taken on the personal mission of trying to help her dad find someone to complete their family, she’s also concerned about Gram’s locked shed and her need to keep buying what appears to be … junk.  Their family ultimately has to come to terms with Gram’s OCD and her need for hording.  At the end of the book Elly Swartz includes some helpful resources.

All reviews are completely my own and I only recommend books I truly believe are worthy of sharing with others. (Believe me, I read many books I do not recommend, which means you won’t see me writing about them!)

This post contains affiliate links. This means if you use these links to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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Bookshelf

Song for a Whale

I talk with my hands without even noticing.  I unconsciously use them to help me express myself on a regular basis. Others have described my hands as “huge” or “big” … actually, they are just really long and narrow and it’s impossible to find gloves that fit.  As Jonas in The Giver might say, people have not used precise words to describe my hands.  On occasion, some have subtly (and not so subtly) made fun when I “talk with my hands” – I’ve even been told they are a distraction.  Don’t feel bad – it’s never bothered me.  I like my hands. 

When I was an early adolescent, a deaf family friend from church (who I really admired) agreed to give me ASL lessons.  I loved going to her house to spend time with her.  I appreciated learning from her lived-experiences, from how she took phone calls to seeing notification lights installed in her home and how she lovingly cared for her infant daughter.  My experiences with her impacted me so greatly that I researched transferring after my freshman year of college because I wanted to change my major from elementary education to pursue deaf education.  However, the 2,000 mile distance to what was considered my school of choice ultimately deterred me from chasing that dream. Honestly, there’s a little place in my heart that still feels unfulfilled and learning ASL is still a dream of mine. 

When I initially selected Song for a Whale as my next middle grade read, I actually had no idea what the book was about.  Sometimes I really enjoy picking a book by the cover and diving in without reading the publisher summary, just for a complete and total surprise.  I did see a quote on the bottom front cover by Katherine Applegate that read, “A triumph” … and for that moment in time, that was enough for me.

Author Lynne Kelly is a sign language interpreter and beautifully crafted the story of Iris, a twelve-year-old girl who is a whiz at repairing radios and basically a “tech genius”.  Iris deeply understands how sound waves work and if you want to want to experience the reading surprise that I did, stop reading here and go get yourself a copy of this book.  Those that still want to know more can keep reading.

Iris is the only deaf student at her school and often feels isolated.  Making friends is difficult when no one understands you.  She is also often misunderstood, which gets her into trouble.  When Iris hears about Blue 55, a whale who sings at a different frequency than other whales and does not allow him to communicate with his own species, she devises a plan to help him make connections using his own song.

Layered into this story is Iris’s strong bond with her deaf maternal grandparents.  Through this relationship, Lynne Kelly gives us additional glimpses into Deaf culture – including insights into ASL poetry, dialect, and so much more.  I truly believe you can begin to build compassion and empathy when you learn to walk in another individual’s shoes, and this book provides many incredible opportunities to do just that.  There’s so much more to this story, but I don’t believe in giving away all the spoilers … and at some point, you really must read the book for yourself.   

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