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Grand Books
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Grandpa Chuck
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Sep 29, 2001 05:11 PDT
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This is a book worth reading, very well done with some great parenting
ideas for our special issues that occur when we are raising our grands.
http://home.earthlink.net/~biggles/
All granddaughter MUST have this book. Get the tissues out when you read
it. Also a Canadian author!
http://www.hallkidsfamily.com/multigenerational/26.shtml
The book "Robert Lives with his Grandparents". It's written by Martha
Whitmore Hickman and it's about a little boy who now lives with the
grandparents because the parents divorced and the mother's on drugs.
It's a child's book and very well written.
It's "Little Miss Spider" by David Kirk. Most bookstores carry it. How
did the beloved Miss Spider begin her life as a spiderling? In this
engaging prequel to David Kirk's Miss Spider books, the spider starlet
herself has just popped out of her egg and is wondering where her mother
could be.
"Did she squeeze down a hole?
Or dive underwater?
Why won't she come out here
And meet her new daughter?"
Little Miss Spider's plaintive cries are heard by a passing beetle, who
offers her kind assistance. The search continues, and suddenly our
heroine finds herself in harrowing danger. Will the one who loves her
best save her in time?
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0439083893/002-9105211-9776058
You Wouldn't Believe What My Grandchild Did. - Lois Wyse - Simon &
chuster.
"Most grandparents love to brag about their grandchildren. The reason is
that there is a special bond between them and they usually enjoy each
others company. They also have a common enemy that they unify themselves
against - parents! The stories in this book are humerous and sometimes
tug on the heartstrings." 126 pp., 160mm x 217mm, Hardcover.
The Grandchildren of the Incas (The World's Children) by Matti A.
Pitkanen, Ritva Lehtinen, Kari E. Nurmi
Gr. 2-4. There is a quaint warmth to this story set in rural Maine in
1787.
After her dog dies in a barn fire, Sarah is beset by nightmares. Her
parents send her to visit her grandmother, an herbalist with remedies
for many ailments. Grandmother Bryant gives Sarah a "pocket" --a cloth
bag worn at the waist--stuffed with healing herbs and embroidered with
the words "Fear Not." Comforted by the pocket and the companionship of a
stray cat, Sarah slowly overcomes her grief and fear. When...
Grandmother Bryant's Pocket
by Jacqueling Briggs Martin, Petra Mathers (Illustrator), Jacqueline
Briggs Martin
The Unexpected Grandchildren by Jane Flory, Carolyn Croll
Grandchildren of the Lakota (The World's Children)
by Lavera Rose, Cheryl Walsh Bellville (Photographer)
Written by a Lakota grandmother, the book explores and celebrates the
language, history, culture and values of this distinct Native American
tribe. Captivating, color portraits of modern-day Lakota children, their
families and their environment complement the informative text to create
a book appropriate for either report writing or general knowledge.
The Grandfather Thing: by Saul Turtletaub. A very funny book by a
humorist, comedy writer who is a multi-Emmy winner for many TV shows.
Tallfellow Press. $16.95. 818-865-1096. Highly recommended.
Attending Your Grandchild's Birth: by Carolynn Bauer Zorn. What to
expect and what you can do during the delivery of your grandchild. We
have always recommended that grandparents "be there when your grandchild
is born," in a manner appropriate to the parent's wishes. This book
tells the how's and why's of this process. The book is also available as
a "virtual" book on 1stBooks.com.
Grand-Stories: compiled and edited by Ernie Wendell. Grand-Stories
honors the grandparent-grandchild relationship and the powerful bond
between them.
There are 114 stories covering a gamut of situations and emotions in a
multitude of categories. Inspirational and entertaining reading.
Friendly Oaks Publications. Pleasanton, Texas 78064. (30) 569-3586.
Halmoni's Day by Edna Coe Bercaw. Illustrated by Robert Hunt.
Jennifer's grandmother Halmoni, is visiting all the way from Korea-and
she's arrived just in time for Grandparents' Day at Jennifer's school.
What happens is interesting and informative and carries a warm and
loving message. Great to read with your grandchild! The illustrations
are lovely as well. We give this book our Foundation For
Grandparenting's Seal of Approval for a wholesome book with a wonderful
message. Dial Books For Young Readers.
Penguin Putnam. New York, N.Y.
Learning from Little Ones, "Tales from a grandfather's heart," by Gilman
Smith. Papaco Press, Box 2714, Frisco, CO. ($12.95) received April
8,2000.
The author has learned that little children give us gifts when we
interact with them. This book contains lovely and inspiring stories
about these gifts. The spirit of the book is well summed up in the words
of Dr. Linus S. Pecaut who reflects that "my Grandpa went fishing to be
with me--catching fish had nothing to do with it."
The 12 Rules of Grandparenting by Susan Kettman M.S.Ed.
(Checkmark Books)
Grandparents will find helpful and straighforward advice on developing a
positive attitude, baby-sitting, fun projects, dealing with
grandchildren, dealing with family issues and more.
The Joy of Grandma's Cooking by Clarice Carlson Orr
Ah! The memories of dinner at Grandma's house in days gone by. Lincoln
grandmother and old friend Clarice Carlson Orr stirs up those nostalgic
memories with her new cookbook. The book is a collection of some two
hundred recipes most of which are accompanied by short stories. For
example how the hog grower's association crowned aunt Amanda the Pie
Queen of Hanson County South Dakota for her pie crust made with lard.
Ignoring the calories, the book is excellent and perhaps will stir you
to pass on these, and some of your own recipes, t o your children and
grandchildren. As one child told us, "Grandma really tastes good!"
New-Fashioned Grandparenting by Julia Nelson.
Allyn Group Publications, Delaware, OH $14.95
Author Julia Nelson shows us an innovative and creative way to be better
grandparents. Using an entrepreneurial model (The Business of Life) she
applies it to a practical delivery system for transferring one's wisdom
and experience to grandchildren through a "birthday program." This book
will be very helpful for grandparents who want to become proactive and
involved in their grandparent roles. Call 1-800-247-6553 to order.
The Nanas and the Papas
When Kathryn and Allan Zullo learned they were going to be grandparents,
they were thrilled. "What do we really know about being grandparents?"
they
thought. "We're nothing like our grey-haired grandmas and grandpas." To
answer their questions, for themselves and other "boomer" grandparents,
they
have written "The Nanas and the Papas": A Boomer's Guide To
Grandparenting.
This book is a good, informative read. It is well written and full of
heart-felt advice for dealing with today's adult children, different
family
forms, technology, financial issues, and most of all, making the most of
your relationship with your grandchild. The book makes a great holiday
gift
for parents and grandparents. Published by Andrews McMeel, at a price of
$10.95.
The Essential Grandparent. A Guide To Making A Difference. Dr. Lillian
Carson. Health Communications inc. Delray Beach, Florida
Dr. Lillian Carson, a psychologist in private practice in Los Angeles
and
Santa Barbara, gives lots of practical advice on grandparenting.
Chapters on
"The Essential Grandparent" and "The Joys of Giving" make an important
contribution to the grandparent literature. "Do's and Don'ts" give
helpful
and relevant guidance.
Grand Activities : More Than 150 Fabulous Fun Activities for Kids to Do
With
Their Grandparentsby Shari Sasser
Grand Activities offers more than 150 fun and easy activities that
grandparents can enjoy with their grandchildren, ages 4 through 12. This
wonderful compendium of activities are designed for the purpose of
building
and strengthening the bond between grandparent and grandchild. The
activities cover a wide range of interests including sharing events of
everyday life, making presents for all occasions, exploring familial
past
and family traditions, learning about talents and abilities, discovering
the
nuances of the neighborhood, keeping informed about physical changes,
and
moving through the seasonal holidays around the calendar year. Grand
Activities is highly recommended to grandparents wishing to be involved
in
the life and development of their grandchildren, and has much of value
to
offer parents and other care providers as well.
I Love My Grandmother Because...by Carolyn J. Booth (Editor), henderso,
Mindy B. Henderson
In this book, children, in their own innocent, precocious way, share
their
insights into the magical bond between grandchild and grandmother. Their
words remind us of how important we are to each other.
The Grandmother Principles by Suzette Haden Elgin
Elgin organizes the book around 21 "Grandmother Principles"--short
aphorisms
that are a designed to bring more joy and serenity to the adventure of
being
a grandparent. A sample:
A grandmother is a safe haven; most arguments are about who is in
charge; a
grandmother is not a quarterback; there are secret stories that only a
grandmother should know. Each principle is explored by addressing hot
topics
for grandparents and detailed in sidebars, comics, and sample dialogues.
Elgin's buoyant, supportive personality guides grandparents through a
hefty
list of how-to's including how to avoid being a martyr, deal with memory
loss, cope with family disgrace, tell a family story, or write a family
newsletter. In each chapter, smart sidebars add levity for example,
"seven
ways to end up helpless." An appendix details "granny crafts" from
crocheting to creating doll clothes and making homemade play dough.
Elgin, a
grandmother of 10, offers abundant and reliable advice--often convincing
us
that Grandma knows best.
The Mourning Dove : A Story of Love by Larry Barkdull
Nine-year-old Hannibal Huish is orphaned and lives with his recently
widowed
grandfather, Pop, who teaches Hannibal about love and the "right" things
to
do in life. David Hunter reads in a quiet, even voice the didactic
stories
and parables that represent Pop's method of teaching Hannibal. The
grandson
and a neighbor boy are sometimes mischievous; they're mostly children
who
are exploring the world and learning about right and wrong. Hunter
conveys
Pop's love and firm hand with a slightly stricter voice in contrast to
the
voice of the youthful Hannibal. The moralistic concepts are lightly
veiled
Christian concepts of honesty, respect and love.
Kelly Bear Books "Feelings" Written by Leah Davis, illustrated by Joy
Davies.
Kelly Bear Productions. This book is designed to be read by a child and
adult together. Kelly Bear asks questions that encourage children to
share
their thoughts and feelings, as Kelly Bear does. Reading this book with
your
grandchild can be fun, and useful. For further information log on to
www.kellybear.com
Grand Activities by Shari Sasser
Career Press 3 Tice Road. Franklin lakes, N.J. 07417
Grand Activities contains more than 150 fun activities for grandparents
to
do with grandchildren. With each activity a keepsake is produced. Ideas
are
creative, simple and fun; ex. creating family portraits by drawing faces
on
cracked egg shells and growing grass inside for hair. Sounds like lots
of
fun!
Grandloving. Making Memories With Your Grandchildren. Sue Johnson &
Julie
Carlson. Heartstrings Press 20 Birling Gap, Fairport NY 14450. Call
800-262-1546.
Grandloving is a peppy, upbeat, easy-to-read sourcebook on how
grandparents
can have fun and make memories with their grandchildren. It is
chock-full of
suggestions for innovative and inexpensive activities for grandparents
and
their grandchildren to do together.
Bubbe & Gram. My Two Grandmothers. Joan C, Hawxhurst. Dovetail
Publishing,
Inc. Kalamazoo, Michigan.
This is a charming book about a grandchild with both a Christian and
Jewish
grandmother. Full of love, understanding and compassion this is a great
gift, or a book to read with any grandchild.
Grandparenting. A New Challenge. Helene Gonski. Sally Milner Publishing
Pty.
Ltd.558 Darling Street, Rozelle NSW 2039 Australia.
Helene Gonski, psychologist, was born in South Africa and migrated to
Australia in 1961 with her husband and four children. She is
well-qualified
to write this book, having 10 grandchildren. Written for an Australian
audience, "Grandparenting" deals with a wide variety of issues;
including
joys, problems, communication issues and more.
That's What Grandfathers Are For. Arlene Uslander. Chicago Spectrum
Press.
1571 Sherman Ave, Annex C. Evanston, ILL. 60201.
This is a charming book of poetry that touches the core of what happens
between grandparents and grandchildren. This poem speaks for the book.
"I
had an old, old fiddle from when I was a boy, and when I'd play a tune
or
two, your face lit up with joy. You clapped your hands and stamped your
feet; we had a good old time. And if I played some sour notes...you
never
seemed to mind. No sooner did I play one song, then you'd say, "Papa,
more!"
So I'd raise my bow and tap my toe, (That's what grandfathers are for.)"
Grandpa Told Me..things your father meant to tell you. Joe Baker. Joe
Baker
& Associates, 14152 Chagall, Irvine California 92714-1806.
Author Joe Baker has written this creative book full of wisdom and
down-to-earth, relevant advice "not just to my grandsons, but also to
those
of you who did not get a chance to know your own grandfathers, and to
those
who knew their grandfathers but are not real sure of just what it was
their
grandfathers told them or were trying to tell them." There are sections
giving advice on money, education, clothes, recreation, possessions and
lots
more.
Grandfather by Another Name : Endearing Stories About What We Call Our
Grandfathers by Carolyn J. Booth, Mindy B. Henderson
When she found out that her daughter, Mindy, was going to have a child,
Carolyn Booth also discovered that just about everyone has a story about
how
their grandparents came to be called by their "grandparently" nicknames.
This book collects those stories and provides anecdotes, quotes, and
lists
for grandparents to be.
Creative Grandparenting Across The Miles. Ideas for Sharing Love, Faith
and
Family Traditions. Patricia L. Fry. Liguori. One Liguori Drive, Liguori,
MO
63057-9999
Patricia L. Fry, a freelance writer ., and a long-distance grandmother
of
six, offers suggestions to help grandparents keep their connection to
their
grandchildren over the miles. This book contains innovative tips for
visiting, creative letter correspondence, ideas to keep communication
going
with fax, video, and E-Mail. The section on maintaining family
traditions is
especially important.
When she found out that her daughter, Mindy, was going to have a child,
Carolyn Booth also discovered that just about everyone has a story about
how
their grandparents came to be called by their "grandparently" nicknames.
This book collects those stories and provides anecdotes, quotes, and
lists
for grandparents to be.
Wonderful Ways to Love a Grandchild by Judy Ford
Honoring the unique role that grandparents play, this delightfully
heartwarming and down-to-earth book offers more than sixty inspiring
suggestions for how you can actively participate in your grandchildren's
lives, whether they live down the block or across the country. Parenting
expert, Judy Ford, gives practical tips for developing your identity as
a
grandparent and for ways to complement and not conflict with parents. A
must
have for all grandparents and an important follow-up
When a Child Is Born, So Is a Grandmother by Mary Engelbreit
(Illustrator),
Jan Miller Girando
This book is a perfect gift for anyone you know that is going to be a
grandmother or is already a grandmother. If you are invited to a baby
shower, take along this extra little book for the mother of the
mother-to-be. She will LOVE it!!!
From Grandma With Love. A Legacy Of Values edited by Toni Thomas. ALTI
Publishing. P.O.Box 28025 San Diego, California 92198-1616
Experience is the great teacher. What we learn is passed on to the young
as
stories. Our personal stories are part of legacy. This broad-ranging
work
contains stories from real life experience, related by grandmothers from
all
over the nation, that celebrate enduring human values across gender,
race,
religion and ethnicity. The stories are warm, highly readable and
adaptable
for reading to, or with grandchildren.
The Long-Distance Grandmother by Selma Wasserman. 1998 Hartley & Marks
Publishers. Box 147 Point Roberts, WA. 98281
This book contains a great deal of ideas about how to stay in touch with
your grandchild over distance. Recommended for all "long-distance"
grandparents who want to remain an important pert of their
grandchildren's
lives.
The Balloon Catcher
by Daylelynn Davis, Jean E. Bryer
Finding Grandpa Everywhere : A Young Child Discovers Memories of a
Grandparent by John Hodge, Susan Aitken (Illustrator)
Gran-Gran's Best Trick : A Story for Children Who Have Lost Someone They
Love by L. Dwight Holden, Michael Chesworth (Illustrator)
Gentle Willow : A Story for Children About Dying by Joyce C. Ph.D.
Mills,
Michael Chesworth (Illustrator)
Hooray for Grandparent's Day!
by Nancy L. Carlson
What can a boy do when Grandparents' Day at school rolls around and he
has
no grandparents to invite? Arnie is very upset, won't help the other
children decorate the room, and goes off grumpily to return his library
books. Carlson (Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come, 1999), in the voice
of a
caring children's librarian, suggests using his neighbors as stand-ins.
Unfortunately, Arnie's next-door neighbors are off to climb Mt. Fuji and
won't be back for two weeks. He tells this sad story to everyone he
knows,
including the bakers, Mme. Jeanne, the dressmaker, and the sensitive
librarian. Much to his surprise, they all show up at school, making
Arnie
the child with the most visitors and the happiest face. I never knew a
kid
could have so many people care about him, he declares. Bold, cheerful
colors, a menagerie of human-like animals, and a warm message make this
a
good read-aloud that celebrates the diversity of families. (Picture
book.
3-8)
Where Grandma Lives...Love is Forever by Pat Banks (Illustrator),
Carolyn
Davidson
Judy Moody by Megan McDonald, Peter Reynolds (Illustrator)
The Hullabaloo ABC by Beverly Cleary, Ted Rand (Illustrator)
The Berenstain Bears and the Week at Grandma's (First Time Books) by
Stan
Berenstain, Jan Berenstain (Contributor)
It Takes a Village, January 9, 2001
Reviewer: Alexia Bailey (see more about me) from Brooklyn, NY United
States
Grandparents Day is a big deal at Arnie's school, but he doesn't have
anybody to bring. The kindly librarian suggests that he can bring a
grown-up
he knows in place of a grandparent, and this seems to solve the problem
--
until he discovers his next-door neighbors are out of town so they can't
come. One by one, he encounters grown-ups in his neighborhood who all
ask
him why he's sad, and he explains the problem. When Grandparents Day
finally
arrives, each of these grown-ups show up at the school to be with Arnie
on
the special day. Finally he realizes that there are a lot of people who
care
about him. The reader will easily be able to see the ending coming but
it's
still a satisfying way to end the story. I think the theme about
community
is also very nice. Fans of Nancy Carlson's other books will certainly
enjoy
this one.
Twilight Child by Warren Adler
The Rights of Grandparents to Visit Their Beloved Grandson Pits Them
Against
Their Remarried Daughter-in-Law. Here is the story of the ultimate clash
between Grandparents and the spouse of their dead son, who is determined
to
lead a new life free of their influence on her child. When Charlie and
Molly
's son dies, their daughter-in-law remarries and is vaulted into an
upper
class world of money and privilege. She is determined to keep her son
free
from the blue-collar influences of her ex-in-laws. Forced to sue for
their
right to visit their beloved grandson, Charlie and Molly enter a world
of
courtroom conflict that deeply affects everyone involved in the case
including the judge. Each of the players in this remarkable drama must
search their souls for the right decision, not for themselves, but for
the
child who they all deeply cherish. As if it were taken from today's
headlines, this novel, which was a Reader's Digest book, delves deeply
into
this heart-rending dilemma of generational conflict.
With Love, Grandma : Letters to Grandchildren by Carl Bernard Smith,
Naomi
Ritter
Here is the first-ever collection of insightful essays, sample letters,
and
books to share taken from the pages of the newsletter of the Senior
Partners
Network, a group dedicated to writing letters to at-risk kids. Full of
whimsical illustrations and drawings by elementary school children, the
book
will enlighten you when youre stumped about what to write to your
grandkids.
Subjects include holidays, family, the seasons, and school, as well as
developmental charts, a list of resources, and essays by Claude Pepper,
Fitzhugh Dodson, and Bob Kreshan, a.k.a. Captain Kangaroo.
Eternal Light : Grandparent Poems : A Twentieth-Century American
Selection
by Jason Shinder (Editor)
Bringing together new and well-known poets, including Louise Erdrich,
Wendell Berry, and James Tate, a celebration of a special family bond
commemorates the mentorly, hardworking, and sassy ways of their beloved
grandparents.
Granny the Pag by Nina Bawden
An inspiring coming-of-age tale that's also a sweet transgenerational
love
story. Abandoned by her itinerant actor parents at age six, Catriona
lives
with and loves her grandmother, ``the Pag,'' in spite of the older
woman's
many idiosyncrasies. The Pag is not like most grannies; she's a lanky,
semi-retired doctor of international renown who smokes (a lot), doesn't
keep
a very neat house, and wears jeans and leather when she takes Cat, now
12,
for ``a real zoom'' on her gorgeous Harley Davidson....
The Red Geranium by Janette Oke
It wasn't that Gran Thomas hadn't taken on difficult challenges in her
lifetime. She'd always met them head on before and fought her way
through.
But now-. Now there seemed to be no reason to put in all that effort.
What
would she gain? With her world turned upside down, everything that she
loved
seemed lost to her.
But one little boy, her great-grandson Tommy, loves her too much to
allow
the inner light to go out in her life. He must do something for Gran.
But
what?
Grams, Her Boyfriend, My Family, and Me by Pat Derby
Gr. 7-10. Though not a bad guy, 15-year-old Andy is about as laid-back
as a
teenager can be--something his oldest sister, Deenie (he has three
others),
doesn't hesitate to tell him. On top of that, Andy prides himself on
opting
out of family squabbles. His talent for staying uninvolved and inactive
is
sorely tested, however, when his mother decides to go back to work and
his
bossy, fussy grandmother comes to stay in the family's tiny house. When
Grams falls in love with retired Harold (of whom Andy's father
disapproves),
Andy discovers himself taking a stand in the family politics. It's hard
to
tell at first just where this story's headed, with Derby seeming to lose
sight of her Mom-goes-back-to-work-and-leaves-the-kids-to-cope plot when
Grams comes aboard. And it's no small stretch to accept that the kids'
blessing and help are what prompt Grams to elope. But Derby's nicely
captured the tension and the frenzy of a big and busy household, and
Andy
definitely comes away richer, having learned that there's more to being
part
of a family than simply showing up for dinner.
PopPaw's Magic Garden by Helen Piper Miller
PopPaw's Magic Garden is a children's story the author wrote about her
daughter and father-in-law. It is about a granddaughter's relationship
to
her grandfather and how they build a garden and grow things together.
The
book is fully illustrated by the author.
Grandpa Comes to Stay by Rob Lewis
Gr 1-3--These funny British imports, with three stories apiece, dispel
some
stereotypes associated with older citizens. Grandpa Bear leads a
physically
active, busy life and craves adventure. Young Finley is always surprised
at
what happens when he's been fishing, cooking, or playing hide-and-seek
with
his grandfather. The vibrant watercolor illustrations add to the
understated
humor of the text. Young readers will relate to these often
laugh-out-loud
stories. In "Peace and Quiet for Grandpa," Finley's mom blames him for
all
of the mature bear's misdoings; in "Worms," the contents of a bag the
cub is
taking to Grandpa are accidentally released. Libraries with heavily used
beginning-to-read collections will want to stock up on these appealing
titles.
Grandpa's Eyes by Sherry T. Vaughn, Sherry T. Vaughan, Ernie Ross
I bought Grandpa's Eyes on a whim because I have recently lost my own
grandfather. This book looks at grandparents and the huge role that they
play in their grandchilren's lives. It brought back lots of wonderful
memories for me and made me realize what a treasure my memories truly
are.
This book is wonderful for anyone who has (or had) a country
grandfather.
The end really brought a sort of closure for me and made me feel a
little
better about my grandfather's death. I think this book has a lot of good
similarities to most grandpa's and is definitely worth the read!
The Monsterby Toni Goffe (Illustrator), Michael Twinn
A small child and his Grandfather have a rollicking good time together,
the
kind of play which is usually the realm of Grandpa or Dad, a favorite
Uncle
or an adult friend. The child pretends that Grandfather is his monster.
He
creeps up on his 'monster', who is pretending to sleep and wakes
suddenly,
proceeding to chase and catch and swing the child and hold him upside
down
and scare him out of his delighted wits until the child is begging for
more
and pleading for mercy in the same...
You Wouldn't Believe What My Grandchild Did by Lois Wyse, Lilla Rogers
This
collection of Wyse's popular Good Housekeeping columns depicts being a
grandmother at its most pleasant. Wyse regales her readers with her own
experiences as a contemporary grandmother who "doesn't dress like
someone
out of Farmer's Almanac," but many of her stories come from her readers,
women who are "blessed with lithe bodies and active minds but
old-fashioned
love." They also exhibit an unapologetic braggodacio about the wonders
of
their grandchildren. Amid the anecdotes are a few tips for effective
grandparenting and how to handle such issues as dating, family
traditions,
and runaway horses. According to Wyse's mother and readers who are
quoted,
great-grandmotherhood is another set of blessings altogether.
Hey, Grandma (A Hearthstone Book) by J. Clarine J. Boyken
Gretchen D. Hellie, Minneapolis Education activist and researcher,
Minneapolis Star Triibune, August 20, 1994, refers to, and quotes from,
HEY,
GRANDMA!, as a response to an earlier editorial on the subject of
outcome-based education reforms : "Education's problem: how to fix the
solution."
Grandma & Grandpa, May I Come over by Marian Brovero, William Dorman
When they visit, grandchildren want to DO things, so this book presents
different activities for each week of the year. The 52 ideas are easy
and
inexpensive, and provide chances for learning that range from planting a
seed, to visiting a horse, to dusting the bookshelves. The large-print
format and original artwork make this a perfect quick-reference guide
before
or even during a visit from the grandkids. A retired teacher, Ms.
Brovero
developed these activities using her own grandchildren to test, refine
and
kid-certify that they are enjoyable.
Feast of the Deadby Anthony Fragola
These interrelated stories focus on a young boy and his grandmother who
infuses him with a sense of the mysteries of her former life in Sicily.
Grandfather and I by Helen E. Buckley, Jan Ormerod (Illustrator)
Everybody is in such a hurry these days--mothers and fathers and sisters
and
brothers. About the only people who aren't in a hurry are grandfathers.
With
them there is always time to stop...and look...just as long as you like.
This gentle story about the warm, happy relationship between the oldest
and
youngest ones in the family was originally published in 1959 with
illustrations by Paul Galdone. Now freshly reillustrated by the
internationally acclaimed Jan Ormerod, it is sure to find its way into
the
hearts of a brand-new generation of readers.
Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say (Illustrator)
Home becomes elusive in this story about immigration and acculturation,
pieced together through old pictures and salvaged family tales. Both the
narrator and his grandfather long to return to Japan, but when they do,
they
feel anonymous and confused: "The funny thing is, the moment I am in one
country, I am homesick for the other." Allen Say's prose is succinct and
controlled, to the effect of surprise when monumental events are scaled
down
to a few words: "The young woman fell in love, married, and sometime
later I
was born." The book also has large, formal paintings in delicate, faded
colors that portray a cherished and well-preserved family album. The
book,
for audiences ages 4 to 8, won the 1994
Roommates : My Grandfather's Story by Max Apple
One grumpy old man and his grandson--rated N for nostalgic and, finally,
T
for tragic. To readers who don't share Apple's (The Propheteers, 1987)
affection, his grandfather Rocky (n, Yerachmiel) might best be described
by
his own favorite epithet: ``son of a beetch.'' From his childhood in
Grand
Rapids, Mich., through his graduate school days in Ann Arbor, to his
years
as a husband, father, and college professor in Houston, Apple's beloved
``roommate'' was his ornery grandfather. Rocky has his touching, and
humorous, points: The lifelong baker continues his art even after
passing
100 years of age; an Orthodox Jew, he caringly ushers a young seeker
into
Judaism; he accompanies Max and his girlfriend, Debby, on a comical
mission
to recover Debby's shanghaied dog. But Rocky is also a master of
emotional
blackmail; confronted with Debby's moving into the Ann Arbor apartment,
he
says, ``If I wanted to live in a whorehouse, I could have stayed in
Grand
Rapids.'' Much of Apple's narrative is an ongoing cycle of battles and
reconciliation, with Rocky locking himself in his bedroom or the
basement
(for instance, refusing to attend Max and Debby's wedding) and
eventually
relenting. His wedding cake comes ten years after the fact--too late not
only for the event, but too late for Debby to enjoy at all, for by then
her
mind, and body, have been touched by multiple sclerosis. The final third
of
Apple's account relates the devastating effects of her illness on
daughter
Jessica and son Sam. Jessica buries herself in baseball statistics, and
both
shun their friends. (``I hate it when people ask me about Mom,'' Jessica
says. ``I just tell them she fell off the Empire State Building.'')
Apple
himself tries to juggle devotion to his hospitalized wife with the
complex
needs of the children. In the end, it is Apple's affecting writing about
his
deepest loss that carries this book.
Grandfather Counts by Andrea Cheng, Ange Zhang (Illustrator)
Ages 4-8. Helen is bothered by having to give up her room to Gong Gong,
her
Chinese grandfather, when he comes to live with the family. She's
puzzled by
his sitting and reading his Chinese newspapers. As she can no longer
watch
the trains from her bedroom window, she sits on the concrete wall in the
backyard to count the cars and wave to the engineer. It's there one
evening
that Gong Gong joins her and teaches her to count the cars in Chinese.
They
sit together long after the engineer waves good-bye, counting in both
Chinese and English. So begin their language lessons and a special
relationship. Conveying nuggets of Chinese culture as well as bits of
the
language, Cheng's story hints honestly at the difficulties of resettling
an
aged, non-English-speaking relative, and in velvety colors, Zhang's
acrylics
paint the growing relationship with simple integrity. A brief glossary
with
pronunciation guides presents words in both Chinese and English
A Present for Grandfather (Adventures of Benny and Watch, No 2)
by Gertrude Chandler Warner (Creator), Daniel Mark Duffy (Illustrator)
Benny only has $1.00 to spend on a birthday gift for his grandfather,
but he
comes up with the best idea of all.
Grandfather's Christmas Tree
by Keith Strand, Thomas Locker (Illustrator)
A grandfather explains the tradition of placing a carving of two geese
and
goslings outside in a tall spruce tree. In 1886, a young couple
expecting a
baby (the grandfather's parents) traveled westward to settle in
Colorado.
They built a home near a stand of sheltering spruce. The winter was so
severe that by Christmas their firewood supply was gone, and the spruce
had
to be cut down. At last there was only one tree left, in which a pair of
geese, one with an injured wing, had taken shelter. Meanwhile, the
couple's
baby was born. Just when it seemed that the last tree would have to be
cut,
the snow stopped and melted enough to let the husband find firewood
elsewhere. The geese survived and produced goslings in the spring, and
the
new father carved the family of geese to commemorate the husband and
wife's
perseverance and their faith in small miracles. Locker's resplendent
illustrations express the characters' devotion and capture the beauty of
the
landscape. A successful and truly lovely Christmas tale. Shelley
Townsend-Hudson
Grandfather's Dream by Holly Keller
Ages 5-8. Sarus cranes, long regarded as good luck, have disappeared
from
the Mekong Delta after canals drained the land during the Vietnam War.
Now
young Nam's village has an opportunity to lure the cranes back by
building
dikes to restore the wetlands feeding ground. The villagers are divided
along generational lines. Nam's mother argues that drained fields are
more
useful for growing rice. But Grandfather values tradition and believes
the
cranes are entitled to their original home. The experiment is allowed a
year's trial. During the following dry season, Nam's dogs retrieve two
baby
birds, and when he and Papa visit the feeding ground, they discover the
birds have indeed returned. Grandfather happily joins other Tam Nong
villagers as they admire the beautiful flock in flight. But he cautions
Nam
that it is "up to you" whether the birds will stay. Keller's argument
for
wildlife restoration springs from her involvement in project "Saving
Cranes
in Vietnam." Understandably, she gives little attention to arguments in
favor of retaining land for farming. Clear ink and watercolor
illustrations
capture the stilt village and surrounding terrain well. However, only a
small section of dike, which is critical to the villagers' strategy, is
depicted in a single frame. This volume will be useful in geography
curricula and in exploring war's consequences, as well as in
environmental
studies
I Lost My Grandfather's Brain (Coville, Bruce. I Was a Sixth Grade Alien
by
Bruce Coville, William Dufries (Narrator)
Some kids lose their homework. Some kids lose their math book, or their
sneakers, or their lunch. Pleskit Meenom, first alien kid to go to
school on
Earth, has a bigger problem: He's lost his grandfather's brain! Of
course,
that's not Pleskit's only problem. Sixth grade is turning out to be a
bigger
challenge than interplanetary navigation. If Pleskit can't find that
missing
brain, none of his other problems will matter, because his....
Grandfather Twilight by Barbara Helen Berger
When day is done, it is time for Grandfather Twilight to close his book,
put
on his jacket, and go for a walk through the forest. All the woodland
creatures watch in silence as he performs his very special evening task
and
returns to his house among the trees.
Here is Barbara Helen Berger's enormously popular classic--now in a
board
book format that retains all of the magic of the original. With its soft
glowing illustrations, poetic text, and new reader-friendly size, the
Grandfather Twilight Board Book is perfect for cuddling up with at
bedtime.
Rosa and Her Singing Grandfather by Leon Rosselson, Marcia Sewall
(Illustrator)
Gr. 3^-5. Grandfather's claim to fame is his tendency to burst into song
at
any time. When Rosa is afraid of the dark, he teaches her a special
song.
When they go to the zoo, he gets into a singing duel with a parrot. And
at
the end of the book, when the two people she loves most are shouting
angrily
at each other, Rosa learns to use her own singing voice. For all the
funny
situations that arise, the book does not ignore problems, such as Rosa's
mother's occasional short temper and the lack of a father in the home.
The
12 stories were first published in England in two volumes, but have been
brought together in an attractive volume with full-page artwork by
Marcia
Sewell.
Love at Home Starring Grandpa by George D. Durrant
Me and Grampa : dialogues with a granddaughter by Ernest Gray
Grampa's a Scientist by Patricia Purwin
A children's book by an award-winning collage artist about a magical
visit
by a grandfather to his twin grandchildren and their exploration of the
world around them and how it works.
24 full-color illustrations and instructions for a collage activity by
children.
Snowflake Bentley (Caldecott Medal Book) by Jacqueline Briggs Martin,
Mary
Azarian (Illustrator)
Most children are captivated by snow, but how many go on to make it
their
lifework? This beautiful biography, winner of the 1999 Caldecott Medal,
tells the true story of a Vermont farm boy who was mesmerized by
snowflakes.
Wilson Bentley was fascinated by the six-sided frozen phenomena, and
once he
acquired a microscope with a camera, his childhood preoccupation took on
a
more scientific leaning. Bentley spent his life taking countless
exquisite
photographs (many that are still used in nature photography today),
examining the tiny crystals and their delicate, mathematical structures.
Jacqueline Briggs Martin tells this tale with simple, graceful prose
that
will engage children's imaginations. Edifying and snowflake-scattered
sidebars offer more information about Bentley's methods and snowflake
science. The artwork of Mary Azarian, whose 19th-century hand-press
illustrations decorate the charming Barn Cat, shines once again in
Snowflake
Bentley, with woodcuts that reveal an appreciation for detail as well as
for
the man who loved snow. The lovely illustrations and equally fresh text
will
inspire and comfort youngsters (and grownups too) who wish they could
capture snowflakes all year long. (Ages 4 to 8)
Grandfather's Tale : The Tale of a German Sniper by Timothy Erenberger
Experience World War II through the crosshairs of a German sniper. Every
grandfather has a tale. Jeorg Frick is an old man now, but in 1937 he
was
drafted by the German Army. Learn the incredible story of how he was
transformed from a ruluctant new soldier into a master sniper. Jeorg
fought
in dozens of battles in several countries, including Poland, Belgium,
The
Soviet Union, Crete, Italy, and Germany. After proving himself to be an
exceptional sniper, he joined a special team of German paratroopers.
This
group of expert soldiers was parachuted into Eben Emael, the strongest
single fortress in the world! Jeorg's story is one of adventure and
survival
under extreme circumstances, including the brutal Soviet winter, and the
final battle-the Battle of Berlin. Join him as Jeorg recounts his
harrowing
experiences to his grandson, in hopes that he may learn the lessons of
war,
and not repeat them.
Grandfather by Tom, Jr. Brown
America's most acclaimed outdoorsman tells the life story of his
greatest
spiritual teacher, a Native American who mastered the skills of survival
and
learned universal truths from the beauties of nature, whose quest for
inner
peace sheds new light on our own spiritual odyssey.
The Sixth Grandfather : Black Elk's Teachings Given to John G. Neihardt
by Raymond J. Demallie (Editor)
The Grandfather Thing by Saul Turtletaub, Saul Turteltaub
In this warmly comic memoir of grandson Max's first year, Saul
Turteltaub -
who believes he's immune to "The Grandfather Thing" - is converted from
a
disinterested bystander to a super enthusiast of this wondrous new world
where a simple remark like "...he has your smile" can turn a perfectly
sober
and normally objective observer into a gushing, babbling, doting
"grandpa."
With running, actually crawling, commentary and sage observations by
one-year-old Max, (who is wise beyond his year), "The Grandfather Thing"
provides a loving look at a man's most unique relationship.
Grandfather Tang's Story (Dragonfly Books) by Ann Tompert, Robert Andrew
Parker (Illustrator)
Grandfather Tang tells Little Soo a story about two fox fairies who
challenge each other to a shape-changing game. Although the use of
tangrams
is intriguing, the story becomes unwieldy and contrived. Youngsters
interested in the tangrams will not sit still for the overly long
exposition
of the fox fairy tale. --
Good to introduce tangrams into geometryunit. The information from the
back
of the book adds a multiculturaland historical dimension to the lesson
while
the relationship between grandfather and granddaughter offers an
intergenerational link. The kids are completely engaged trying to guess
what
the next fairy transformation will be before it's revealed.
Grandfather's Drum by Elizabeth Bluehorse
I went to one of Elizabeth Bluehorse's booksignings at the Hastings near
my
home. What a great person! I bought a copy of Grandfather's Drum for my
16
year old grand daughter, but after reading through a few pages I went
back
and bought two more copies - one for myself and one for a friend of mine
who
is interested in Native American stories and culture. Now that we have
all
read our books, we all say - simply delightful, beautiful. I signed on
today
to buy another copy for my son who is 37. This is a book for all ages
Grandpa and Me and the Wishing Star by Barbara Porter
Grandpa's Garden by Shea Darian, Karlyn Holman (Illustrator)
Each Saturday a young girl and her grandfather share their thoughts and
dreams as they tend a garden. Soft, detailed watercolors capture the
beauty
of the garden and of the girl's relationship with her grandfather, but
both
text and art are overly sentimental. The poem about Mother Nature at the
back of the book is unnecessary, though, and the garden activities for
celebrating life are described in a preachy tone.
Linnets and Valerians by Elizabeth Goudge
When the four orphaned Linnet children are sent to live with their nasty
grandmother, they decide at once that their new life is unbearable-and
run
away. Making their way through the English countryside, they first charm
the
gruff but lovable Uncle Ambrose and his gardener, Ezra, then stumble
upon
the eccentric Lady Alicia, who seems to have lost her family. And then
the
real fun begins! The Linnets start their search for the missing
Valerians-but will they be thwarted by the witch Emma Cobley and her
magic
cat?
The Fiddle Ribbon by Margo Lemieux, Francis Livingston
Lemieux (Full Worm Moon, 1994, etc.) pens an intergenerational story of
two
children discovering their Scottish heritage. Jimmy and Jennie have been
sent to their grandparents' farm in the Canadian Maritimes to help out
for
the summer. Discovering Jennie's love of music, the grandfather,
``Papa,''
teaches her to play his fiddle, as his grandmother had taught him.
``Music,'' he tells her, ``is the ribbon that ties people together. It
goes
on and on from generation to generation and never ends.'' The tangible
symbol of this connection is the faded fiddle ribbon, woven into one
continuous loop, a gift that came to him with his first fiddle. Jimmy,
for
his part, has been learning step-dancing, and the story ends with a
festive
ceilidh in the barn. The looping shape of the ribbon is worked into
several
of the thickly textured, impressionistic paintings, reinforcing the
sense of
connection between the children and their once-unfamiliar grandparents.
A
lovely story of children learning to cherish their family traditions.
The
score of a traditional jig tune is appended.
Stepping Out With Grandma Mac by Nikki Grimes
Nikki Grimes pens a series of poems, illus. by Angelo, chronicling the
relationship of a 10-year-old girl and her grandmother in Stepping Out
with
Grandma Mac. Told from the child's point of view, the verses reveal a
grandma who doesn't bake cookies, and whose idea of a field trip centers
around the garment district. As the collection progresses, the wisdom in
Grandma Mac's stern lessons and austere values slowly reveals itself to
the
young narrator.
Gr. 4-7. "Don't touch that!" There are no hugs and kisses and no
endearments
from Grandma Mac. Her words are cold and gruff, and they can hurt. But
these
poems in her 10-year-old granddaughter's voice reveal how much the girl
resembles her grandmother: scrappy and strong, adventurous and reserved,
irritable and intimate. The very simple words are in short casual lines
with
an occasional rhyme; their sound and sense are one, whether Grandma's
fussing about setting the table,...
Getting Rid of Katherine by Betty Ren Wright
Eleven-year-old Emily invents a variety of schemes to get rid of her new
step-grandmother since she poses a threat to Emily's close relationship
to
her grandfather.
The King Boy by Judy Carole Rhodes
In this slowly paced, episodic novel, Benjy wonders why his grandfather
is
considered the outcast of their rural Arkansas town. The intended
audience
is uncertain, due to the seriously flawed time frame which stretches
from
Benjy's first day of school until past his sixteenth birthday
Grandfather's Laikaby Mats Wahl, Tord Nygren (Illustrator)
Matthew tells of his special relationship with his grandfather and
Laika,
his grandfather's dog. When Laika becomes ill and must be put down,
Matthew
comes to terms with the aging process and death. This moving story is
marred
by a wordy text and uneven illustrations that give the book a dated
look.
Why Did Grandpa Die? A Book About Death by Barbara Shook Hazen
Poppy's Chair by Karen Hesse, Kay Life (Illustrator)
Leah visits her grandparents every summer, but this year is different.
Her
grandfather has passed away. Leah and Gramm do the things they always
do,
but Leah doesn't talk about Poppy - she can't even sit in his chair.
Finally, after a long talk with Gramm, Leah is able to express her fears
about death, to think about Poppy, and to feel happy about her memories.
The Go-Between by Amy Hest, Dyanne Disalvo-Ryan (Illustrator)
A satisfying child's-eye view of a November romance: Gram, who shares
narrator Lexi's room, often sends Lexi with a pot of tea for Murray
Singer,
who runs the newsstand they can see from their window, across N.Y.C.'s
Broadway; he sends back newspapers inscribed with his own cheery
messages.
It develops that the two have secretly admired each other since
childhood,
when they played baseball together downtown on Grand Street; after Lexi
reveals the feelings of each to the other, there's a wedding, with a
party
afterwards by Murray's stand. DiSalvo-Ryan reflects the story's warmth
in
her nicely constructed color pencil and watercolor art, capturing the
neighborhood ambiance and depicting the happy couple as well into their
70s.
Lexi must be seven or eight; the rather long text makes a good choice
for
independent readers of the same age.
----
Thanks Betty
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