Just Like Grandpa Jazz
by Tarah L Gear, illustrated by Mirna Imamović
Interest age: 2 to 3
Published by Owlet Press, 2022
About this book
Frank loves his grandpa, and they both love stories. Grandpa Jazz is excellent at telling stories, especially about Mauritius, where he grew up. While Frank is helping him pack for a trip back there, Grandpa tells him about the volcano he almost fell into, and the French doctor who had a skull in his office. Then he talks about the boat he came to the UK on – and how he had to use different dining rooms and cabins from white people. Frank is sad to realise that if he’d been on the ship too – with his white skin and blue eyes – they wouldn’t have been together.
Luckily, times have changed, and when Frank and his mother take Grandpa Jazz to the airport, there’s a wonderful surprise for Frank. As his mum says, he and Grandpa Jazz are just like each other, and together they have so much fun!
This is a warm hug of a book, showing that family can look very different, but love is the most important bond. Frank is a mixed-race child who delights in the silly stories and mischief that his grandpa brings to their relationship. There is a page at the back on migration, with suggestions for conversations about your own family.
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Lists of recommended reads
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Books about grandparents
Take a look at some of our favourite books about the grandparents in our life. They're perfect for your child to share with their own granny or grandad, but otherwise with you – giving you the chance to chat about why grandparents are just so wise and wonderful. More seriously, a couple of these books also touch very well on some sad and delicate themes about the older relatives we love, and have loved, so much.
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Mixed families
It's crucial that all children see a variety of families depicted in books, as this reflects the reality of our society. Here is a selection of our favourite books for 0-5 year olds starring mixed-race families.
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Family
These books are a great way to read and learn about all kinds of families with your toddler or younger child.