Grandparents

Mira in the Present Tense

Twelve-year-old Mira comes from a chaotic, artistic, and outspoken family in which it’s not always easy to be heard. As her beloved Nana Josie’s health declines, Mira begins to discover the secrets of those around her and also starts to keep some of her own. She is drawn to mysterious Jide, a boy who is clearly hiding a troubled past. As Mira is experiencing grief for the first time, she is also discovering the wondrous and often mystical world around her.

This book is originally published in the UK as Artichoke Hearts.

Roimata and the Forest of Tane

In this story a little girl, Roimata comes and stays with her grandmother. The grandmother tells her the story of a old tawa tree which was in front of their house. And how a storm comes and blows the tree down.

The Frank Show

What do you do if it’s show-and-tell day at school and you’re supposed to bring someone from your family, but the only someone avaliable is your grandpa, who complains… a lot, prefers things the way they used to be, thinks his arm can predict the rain, is guaranteed to embarrass you.  And to make matters worse, what if Khristian brings his stand-up comedian dad and Paolo brings his mom, who’s Italian and speaks Italian?  You are going to wish your grandpa had some tricks up his sleeve…but what if he does?

This hilarious offbeat story from the creator of Marshall Armstrong Is New to Our School reveals that there is more to the older generation than meets the eye.  After all, the longer you’ve been around, the more time you’ve had for wild adventures!

Here Comes Hortense!

What could be more fun for a six-year-old than having your nana and her new husband take you to a theme park? But the fun is spoiled when Nana and Bob announce that they’ve planned a surprise: they are going to be joined by Bob’s granddaughter, Hortense. It turns out to be the worst surprise ever. Nana shares her room with Hortense instead of her disgruntled little grandson. She sings her special good-night song to Hortense. She goes on all the scary rides with Hortense. And, worst of all, Hortense has a special name for Nana.

A perceptive and hilarious exploration of rivalry, there’s a gentle lesson for readers, young and old.

Vacation in the Village

A boy discovers and takes pride in the customs of his people when he visits his family’s village.

Grace at Christmas

When her grandmother takes in a stranded family at Christmas, Grace is reluctant to share her favorite holiday with strangers, even though the visiting family includes a “real live ballerina.”

My Two Grandads

Aston’s Grandad Roy played in a steel band and Grandad Harry played the trumpet in a brass band. Aston always enjoyed going to visit them and listen to them practice. But soon he wanted to join in. So he asked Grandad Roy to teach him to play the steel drums and then he asked Grandad Harry to teach him to play the trumpet. He loved practicing both instruments. Then the school needs a band to play at the school fair, and both grandads want their own band to play. Finally Aston had an idea – both bands join together to make one big band, and Aston joins in first on steel drums and then on trumpet. This story of a mixed-race family reconciling their cultures is a celebration of diversity. Written by one of Britain’s foremost campaigners and media personalities and illustrated by a highly regarded illustrator, this book is sure to build on the success of My Two Grannies.