My Grandma and Me

Publisher: Candlewick Press

A true tale of a young girl in Iran who idolises and follows her grandmother everywhere, this is a beautiful ode to family and lifelong memories.

The story focuses on Mina's daily life with her grandma: from collecting wonderful fresh bread from the delivery boy to fasting and feasting during Ramadan. This is all observed with simple but affecting detail and the illustrations are just jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Lindsey Yankey draws the situations with glorious colours and intricate patterns that fill the book with a sense of wonder and joy.

There is also a subtly inclusive message to the book, as we see Mina's grandma chatting and laughing with her best friend. Although she goes to church and Mina's grandma goes to a mosque, the book only ever focuses on what unites them: universal, everyday things like knitting, prayers, drinking coffee and watching their grandchildren as they play together. 

The love that Mina has for her grandma will have you welling up in the final page ('I've never loved anything or anyone the way I loved my grandma') and feeling even more appreciative of the grandparents that you have, or have had, in your life. 

More books like this

Wanda's Words Got Stuck

Author: Lucy Rowland Illustrator: Paula Bowles

Wanda the little witch loves school, but she's a little shy - and very nervous about the school magic contest! 

Read more about Wanda's Words Got Stuck

Bear Shaped

Author: Dawn Coulter-Cruttenden

This beautiful picture book is based on the true story of a family’s public search for a missing toy. The Jack of the illustrations are utterly convincing, a testimony to the fact that the illustrator worked so closely with the ‘real’ Jack (who happens to be on the autistic spectrum). Delicate, timeless artwork also cleverly incorporates all sorts of satisfy…

Read more about Bear Shaped

Share this book with your friends

Use our Bookfinder to discover the perfect children's books for every age...