Celebrate Grandparents with These Diverse Children's Books
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Celebrate Grandparents with These Diverse Children's Books

Updated: May 8, 2023


Grandparents are special. These picture books share some of the many ways grandparents brighten up our lives. Perfect for Grandparent's Day (the first Sunday after Labor Day) or anytime. Happy reading!

When a young boy visits his grandfather, their lack of a common language leads to confusion, frustration, and silence. But as they sit down to draw together, something magical happens--with a shared love of art and storytelling, the two form a bond that goes beyond words.


With spare, direct text by Minh Lê and luminous illustrations by Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat, this stirring picture book about reaching across barriers will be cherished for years to come.


Purchase: Bookshop

In this sweet, slice-of-life story, a curious and active Asian American girl spends the day learning tai chi from her grandfather, and in turn tries to teach him how to do yoga.


Mei Mei's grandpa is practicing tai chi in the garden, and Mei Mei is eager to join in. As Gong Gong tries to teach her the slow, graceful movements, Mei Mei enthusiastically does them with her own flair. Then Mei Mei takes a turn, trying to teach Gong Gong the yoga positions she learned in school. Will Gong Gong be able to master the stretchy, bendy poses?


Winner of Lee & Low's New Voices Award, A Morning with Grandpa celebrates, with lively spirit and humor, the special bond between grandparent and grandchild and the joy of learning new things together. Readers of all ages will want to try some tai chi and yoga too!


Purchase: Bookshop


A young girl undertakes an impossible trip to the moon, makes friends with the stars, and brings back something priceless in this gentle and lyrically told picture book about family, history, and memory.


Grana used to tell the best stories, and Mabel used to long to soar through the heavens. Nowadays, Grana mostly lies in bed and Mabel stays close to home. But one day, Grana asks, "If we can touch the moon, then what is impossible?"


So Mabel decides to do just that, embarking on a journey through the stars where The Seven Sistahs, The Big Dipper, and other constellations help her on her quest and teach her about African mythology and African American history. With the support of her new companions, Mabel reaches for her biggest dream yet: to make her sick grandma well again.


Purchase: Bookshop


Spend the day with a grandma and granddaughter in this charming picture book about the magic found in their favorite accessory, a perfect gift this Mother's Day!


When Grandma Mimi comes to visit, she always brings warm hugs, sweet treats...and her purse. You never know what she'll have in there--fancy jewelry, tokens from around the world, or something special just for her granddaughter. It might look like a normal bag from the outside, but Mimi and her granddaughter know that it's pure magic!


In this adorable, energetic ode to visits from grandma, beloved picture book creator Vanessa Brantley Newton shows how an ordinary day can become extraordinary.


Purchase: Bookshop


A cheerful story from a renowned Canadian children's book author and an award-winning illustrator


Set in the Nicola Valley, British Columbia, in Canada's westernmost province, a First Nations family goes on an outing to forage for herbs and mushrooms. A grandmother passes down her knowledge of plant life and the natural world to her young grandchildren.


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A heartwarming story of a granddaughter's love for her grandfather--a perfect gift for both Father's and Grandparents Day!


Tamika loves everything about her grandpa, especially his expressive face. But one day, when Tamika watches Grandpa rehearsing for a play, she sees a different face, one she has never seen before.


Purchase: Bookshop


A joyful celebration of grandmothers around the world.


There is no one quite like a grandma.

They can be funny, wise, warm--and they come with a variety of hairstyles!


How to Greet a Grandma is a tribute to all grannies, everywhere. Each page introduces a different global grandma, phonetically describes how to pronounce her name, and explains a little about traditions in her country. Readers can discover what foods, hobbies, and fashions each gran might enjoy, learn what wisdoms they might share, and find out how to greet each one with love.


This book encourages readers to celebrate and appreciate these special family figureheads, and is the perfect gift for grandmas and grandkids to share and enjoy together.


Purchase: Bookshop



Based on the true story of one family's struggle for voting rights in the civil rights-era South, this moving tale shines an emotional spotlight on a dark facet of U.S. history.


Life on the farm with Granddaddy is full of hard work, but despite all the chores, Granddaddy always makes time for play, especially fishing trips. Even when there isn't a bite to catch, he reminds young Michael that it takes patience to get what's coming to you. One morning, when Granddaddy heads into town in his fancy suit, Michael knows that something very special must be happening--and sure enough, everyone is lined up at the town hall! For the very first time, Granddaddy is allowed to vote, and he couldn't be more proud. But can Michael be patient when it seems that justice just can't come soon enough? This powerful and touching true-life story shares one boy's perspective of growing up in the segregated South, while beautiful illustrations depict the rural setting in tender detail.


Purchase: Bookshop


Your turn! Which books would you add to this list? Let us know.

 

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VIDEO READ ALONG

Read along with illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton! On this episode of Read Out Loud Vanessa reads GRANDMA’S PURSE! Discover magic within Grandma Mimi’s purse. Can you guess what is inside?

 

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