When a child’s beloved grandfather comes from Iran for a visit, she can’t wait to show him all her favorite things in this story full of warmth and tender detail.
We speak different languages, Grandpa and I, but how we laugh and laugh and laugh.
Grandpa is finally here to visit! He’s brought a suitcase smelling of Persian spices, walnuts picked from his trees at home, and sparkly saffron to make yellow rice. And Grandpa and granddaughter have so much they want to see and do together. She shows him all her favorite things: the mountaintops, the tunnel she discovered, and the horse in the field. If only Grandpa could stay longer, then he could see the spring—but when time together is limited, it feels all the sweeter and more special. In a touching follow-up to Mum, Me, and the Mulberry Tree, Tanya Rosie and Chuck Groenink deliver a tenderly told and beautifully illustrated picture book about the magical bonds between families, even those spread out across the world.---from the publisher
40 pages 978-1536231267 Ages 3-7
Keywords: grandpa, rhyme, diverse books, diversity, multigenerational, love, relationship, sharing, Iran, relatives, 3 year old, 4 year old, 5 year old, 6 year old, 7 year old
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“But I wish Grandpa could see the spring, too…
Grandpa is like snow–I never want him to go,
never want his magic to leave.
But he whispers in Farsi, and I start to smile
when he wipes my tears with his sleeve.
The sun is dimming, our stones are skimming,
as we stand side by side at the lake.
Now the wind is blowing
and our shadows growing
as we head back before it gets late.”
GRANDPA IS HERE! is the happy, rhyming picture book tale of Grandpa coming to visit. An unnamed young granddaughter narrates the story in which she becomes close to and comfortable with the Grandpa who starts off the story as a stranger. Once they’ve become sufficiently accustomed to one another, and after Grandpa gets his nap, the pair are ready to venture out into the wilds together.
Once outside, they encounter both domestic and cute wild critters as they wander through woods, walk along rivers, and climb beautiful fall-colored hills. The muted fall colors outside, and the dreamy purple pastel inside are stunning and atmospheric. The love shared by the young girl and sweet, old Grandpa is palpable.
Exposure to the feelings on display here could well encourage some young children to maintain an open, more positive attitude about encountering relatives or parents’ friends who suddenly show up in their space.
Grandpa is a wonderful character. GRANDPA IS HERE! will lend itself to great circle time discussions about grandparents. In fact, I’ll tell you this: My life would have been a shell of itself, had I not had one of the best grandfathers in the whole world nearby, a guy who was ready to give me his full attention, encouragement, and love whenever I desired it.
Recommended by: Richie Partington, MLIS, California USA
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