There are so many wonderful picture books celebrating the relationship between children and their grandparents. We love the way that these picture book grandfathers share their knowledge and experiences through work, play and wild adventures!
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Rain, Sun, Snow and Storm
Sam Usher
A boy and his grandad have appeared in several adventures together, theirs is a heartwarming, caring relationship which celebrates the fun that family members of different generations can have together. The characters share a wonderfully strong bond and the power of their imaginations is beautifully conveyed as they enjoy exciting adventures involving pirates, kites and zoo animals.
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The Vanishing Lake
Paddy Donnelly
A heartwarming relationship between Meara and Grandad is central to this magical story as Meara tries to discover what causes the lake to periodically disappear and then return again.
Grandad has some wild and sometimes wacky suggestions as to why it happens but what’s the real reason?
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My Grandpa, My Tree, and Me
Roxanne Troup & Kendra Binney
A heartwarming relationship full of love and care is beautifully portrayed in this book. On the day that his granddaughter is born Grandpa plants a pecan tree which stands apart from the other pecan trees in his orchard. Throughout the seasons Grandpa cares for his orchard on an industrial scale and uses machinery to help him prune, feed and harvest the trees.
But his granddaughter’s tree is different – together Grandpa and the little girl tend to her tree in a more traditional way which allows them to bond through a shared experience.
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Grandfathers also have important roles in their own lives and often share their knowledge and experiences with their grandchildren…
Little Rabbit’s Big Surprise
Swapna Haddow & Alison Friend
We love the way that Big Rabbit introduces Little Rabbit to the world of work in this highly illustrated early reader.
Little Rabbit is surprised to learn that her grandfather, Big Rabbit, ‘works’. One day he takes her with him and they visit various woodland animals, many of whom have problems that need solving.
Next day Big Rabbit asks Little Rabbit to collect three important things for him. Little Rabbit hopes they’ll be used to make her a kite but then discovers that they will be used for something even better!
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Every Bunny is a Yoga Bunny
Emily Ann Davison & Deborah Allwright
This very inspiring Grandpa tries to help his fidgety grandchild learn to keep still!
Grandpa’s yoga class gives Yo-Yo and young readers a great introduction to easy yoga poses. But can Yo-Yo stay still for long enough to learn…?
We love the way that the child / grandparent relationship is portrayed and think it’s fabulous that Grandpa is sharing his experience with the bunnies, an experience that ultimately saves Yo-Yo from danger.
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Superheroes Always Fight Back…Or Do They?
Kate Thompson & Clare Elsom
We love the wonderfully supportive relationship between Arthur and Grandpa 🙂
When Arthur dreams of being a superhero so that he can banish the bully next door, Grandpa shows him that he doesn’t need superpowers and encourages Arthur to be kind instead. And when Arthur takes Grandpa’s advice and confronts the ‘baddie’ kindly he’s delighted by the result.
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But how can we support children when grandparents get old and sick…
The Tide
Clare Helen Welsh & Ashling Lindsay
This beautifully illustrated picture book uses the imagery of the tide going in and out to convey and explain Grandad’s dementia – sometimes the tide is in, sometimes it is out. Some days Grandad has clearer memories than others but Mummy explains to the girl that Grandad still loves her even though he sometimes gets confused.
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Who are your favourite picture book grandfathers?
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