Finding Granny
Kate Simpson, Author
Gwynneth Jones, Illustrator
EK Books, Fiction, Jul. 3, 2018
Suitable for Ages: 4-8
Themes: Aging grandparents, Coping with an illness, Intergenerational relationships, Family
Opening: “Edie’s Granny is a playtime Granny, a bedtime, story-time pantomime Granny, an I’m not afraid of some slime Granny.”
Synopsis:
Edie’s Granny loves her with the fierceness of a lion Granny. They enjoy being together whether it’s eating ice cream cones, or snuggling up on the couch together proudly displaying their animal slippers. Then one day an ambulance arrives and takes Granny to the hospital.
When Edie arrives at the hospital, she is confronted by the physical changes in her grandmother. The lady in the bed, doesn’t look like Granny. She muddles words. Her smile is crooked and she’s confined to a bed. Her mother has to feed her. This isn’t the Granny Edie knows. The doctor tells Edie and her mother that Granny had a stroke. Edie visits every day with her mother, but stays outside of her room.
When Edie’s mother takes her to watch one of Granny’s art therapy sessions, she begins to see the Granny she loves is still there, with her sense of humor intact.
Why I like this book:
This is a heartwarming story about the loving bond between Edie and her Granny, and the changes that occur in their relationship when her grandmother has a stroke.
It focuses on a common illness, like a stroke. It also sensitively explores ways for children to cope with a family illness and the rehabilitation process that follows. The book is age-appropriate and will bring children comfort.
The colorful illustrations expressively show Edie’s emotions, which range from indignation, worry, anger, sadness, and surprise. Kids will watch how Edie finds her way to reconnect with Granny again.
Resources: The book alone is a resource for family members. According to the American Heart and the American Stroke Association, someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds. There is valuable information for family members, a video of a little girl saving her father’s life by calling 911, and moving forward as a family.
Kate Simpson spent her childhood with her nose in a book but always thought writing was something that other people did. In her thirties, Kate finally decided to give it a try and discovered that ideas can come from anywhere and writing can be for anyone. When she’s not writing or reading, Kate loves board games and laughter, the feel of the sun on her face, and spending time with family, particularly her two young children. This is her first picture book.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
*Review copy provided by the publisher.
Since I just spent two weeks with my 90-year-old mother, who suffered a stroke 4 years ago, this book strikes a chord with me. It was awesome to see how her, great and great-great-grandchildren show their affection and respond so well with her. A great book.
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What a lovely comment about your mom and how her great and great-great grandchildren interact with her. Kids adapt. After my brain injury long ago, it was my youngest grandson who was about 5-6 who was most eager to find ways to help me. He wasn’t afraid. Kids adapt.
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Kids are amazing!
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I love the twist on this beautiful intergenerational story!
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What an awesome topic! I vividly recall visiting my grandmother in the hospital almost 50 years ago – so frightening. And with people starting families later & later, older grandparents are a real possibility these days for young children. Great choice!
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It can be frightening for children. I’m delighted with a number of excellent picture books I’ve reviewed on similar topics for children. I believe you are right about children being exposed to the issues of grandparents at a younger age. This story could be about be very current and feature a vet with an traumatic brain injury.
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Thank you for featuring a PB that addresses a medical condition that touches so many lives. The cover art is entrancing, and your thought-provoking review is excellent. Thanks for sharing this read with us for the New Year, Patricia!
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Thank you June. It is a subject close to my heart and I am always looking for stories intergenerational stories for children who have grandparents with health issues, dementia and so on!
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Reblogged this on Dr Niamh's Children's Books.
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Thank you for sharing my review!
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A theme after my own heart! I would like to see more stories about grandparent relationships. Happy new year Patricia!
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Yes, I believe it is a theme both of us appreciate. Intergenerational stories are favorites. Haven’t heard from you in a while. Imagine you are off doing interesting things. Happy 2017!
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I have been avoiding social media. But I have to make time for it if I want to sell my books. I needed a break.
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I understand. Will look up what you’re writing.
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Thanks for sharing this book. Intergenerational books are so touching!
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Thank you Keila! It is a moving story. My favorites.
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I hope I’ll never be a Granny who needs to be visited in the hospital, or who doesn’t recognize her grandchildren. But as Darlene says, we all age at some point. My mom was vibrant until she was 89 – and then she wasn’t. This book speaks to us on so many levels.
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Yes, the book does speak to us from many levels. This could be a vet returning with a traumatic brain injury. I am just grateful there are books available to help parents talk with their children about a grandparent’s illness and aging.
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xo
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I recently had to deal with a similar issue with a close relative. It’s nice to see that there are books on the subject to help young children learn how to cope. Thanks for reviewing this book, Pat.
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That is why I love sharing books like this, so that parents know where to turn to and can help prepare a child for the illnesses of aging grandparents.
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This looks like a really fabulous book – it’s always nice to find these heartwarming books. 🙂
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This is an important book for parents to know about, if they have aging parents.
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With an aging population, this is a story that will have increasing significance. My grandmother had a stroke when I was seven. Such a long time ago and before there are the marvellous treatments and rehabilitation processes that there are now. She was hospitalised until her death 22 years later. Perhaps a book such as this may have been of comfort to me though I don’t remember feeling anything other than shock and acceptance, and perhaps sadness at the plight of such a wonderful woman. There was really nothing else we could do.
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Yes, books like this are important for children dealing with family illnesses. That must have been very confusing and frightening for a you as a young child. I’m surprised she was hospitalized for so many years.
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this sounds like a wonderful story to help kids face the scary things that happen to their grandparents. Plus art! I love that it connects that way.
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