Why grandparents are special?
Whatever names they are called, whether Grandma and Grandpa, Gran and Gramp, or Nana and Pop Pop, grandparents are always special to their grandchildren for they are always ready with a hug, a kiss, and some sweet treats, as well as a few lessons about life and happiness.
Here are a few children’s books about grandparents that you should read.
- Grandpa Nick’s Bump by Lynda Daniele
Grandpa Nick’s Bump tells the true story of the author’s, Lynda Daniele, late husband, Nick, who had meningioma. Nick was asked by four children in the neighborhood to be their grandfather, as they did not have a grandfather. He gladly accepted the honor of being their grandfather and enjoyed each moment with them. Unfortunately, Grandpa Nick passed away four months later due to a “bump”, a very large tumor on the side of his head.
Readers will love Grandpa Nick’s Bump, an amusing yet touching story that follows Grandpa Nick who is adored by the children he loves and cares for. This is the heartwarming story of the children coping with Grandpa Nick’s death and learning about happiness in heaven.
- Chicken Sunday by Patricia Polacco
Love knows no race and skin color and even bloodline in the picture book Chicken Sunday, “a loving family story woven from the author’s childhood”. The book tells about a young Russian Jewish girl and her two African-American brothers wanting to buy their gramma, Miss Eula, a beautiful Easter hat. Their good intentions are misunderstood until they learn just the right way to pay for the Easter hat that Miss Eula has her eyes on.
- My Abuela is Sick by Jennifer Bisignano
Published in English and Spanish editions, My Abuela is Sick tackles the difficult subject of cancer and the difficult theme of death. People think these two topics should never appear in a children’s book but the author took the liberty of addressing them in My Abuela is Sick, a story of an 8-year-old girl whose grandmother is sick (meaning, she has cancer). The young girl strives to come into terms with her abuela’s (grandma, in Spanish) sickness when she opens up about her ordeal during an afterschool session. This is a moving story of the young girl and her cancer-stricken grandmother – and their love for each other.
- I Call My Grandpa Papa by Ashley Wolff
There may be many words in different languages for “grandfather” but only one love. I Call My Grandpa Papa tells the story about a teacher, Miss Alexandra May, who tells the class about her grandfather from China, whom she calls Ye-Ye. She then encourages her students to tell the class what they call their grandfathers and the things they love to do with them. The illustrated children’s book pays homage to the love between a grandfather and his grandchild across cultures.
- There’s a Tiger in the Garden by Lizzy Stewart
Do grandmas know best when it comes to helping children beat boredom? Or do they just have a rich wild imagination? Know the answer in There’s a Tiger in the Garden, a story about a bored Nora who thinks she’s “too old to play Grandma’s silly games”. When Grandma tells Nora she has seen a tiger in the garden, Nora does not believe her because “tigers live in jungles, not gardens”. When Nora starts seeing “dragonflies as big as birds” and “plants that try to eat her toy giraffe”, she is drawn into a world of adventure – right in Grandma’s garden.
- A Morning with Grandpa by Sylvia Liu
A Morning with Grandpa extols the special bond between grandparent and grandchild as they both learn new things together. Mei Mei watches her grandpa Gong Gong practicing tai chi in the garden. She joins him but cannot seem to replicate his slow, graceful movements. Mei Mei then teaches Gong Gong yoga – those stretchy, bendy poses – which she learns at school. Will Mei Mei and Gong Gong learn each other’s physical discipline properly? Read all about it in this charming children’s book about a beautiful multigenerational interaction.
- Looking for Yesterday by Alison Jay
In Looking for Yesterday, one little boy cannot get over the fact that yesterday – which was spent at the fair – was the best day ever, so he figures out a way to repeat yesterday, putting all his scientific knowledge, from stars to time machines to wormholes, to work. He thinks that maybe Grandad could help him but Grandad has some memories to share – and an important lesson to spare to his determined, science-minded grandson.
- Gus and Grandpa at Basketball by Claudia Mills
Many precious moments between grandparent and grandchild are created through sports. In Gus and Grandpa at Basketball, Gus is determined to play the best game of basketball he could play. However, he is crippled with fear. With the help of his Grandpa, Gus learns to develop his inner confidence.
Happy reading!
The Damsel’s Files 