Let's hear it for the 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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Splash, Anna Hibiscus!
Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Lauren Tobia
Interest level: 3+
Reading age: 6+
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Splash, Anna Hibiscus!
Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Lauren Tobia
Interest level: 3+
Reading age: 6+
Anna Hibiscus is at the beach with her family. She wants someone to go in the sea and splash in the waves with her but they are al…
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Rumbelow's Dance
Author: John Yeoman Illustrator: Quentin Blake
Interest level: 3+
Reading age: 6+
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Rumbelow's Dance
Author: John Yeoman Illustrator: Quentin Blake
Interest level: 3+
Reading age: 6+
Rumbelow is dancing on his way to his grandparents' house - and soon, everyone else is joining in to dance too.
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I Really Want to See You, Grandma
Author: Taro Gomi
Interest level: 3-5
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I Really Want to See You, Grandma
Author: Taro Gomi
Interest level: 3-5
Reading age:
Yumi and her grandmother have the same great idea at the same time: they want to see each other! Simple and lovely with a war…
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Time for Bed, Miyuki
Author: Roxane Marie Galliez and Seng Soun Ratanavanh
Interest level: 5-7
Reading age: 6+
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Time for Bed, Miyuki
Author: Roxane Marie Galliez and Seng Soun Ratanavanh
Interest level: 5-7
Reading age: 6+
It's time for Miyuki to go to bed, but there are so many things she wants to do with her grandfather before then! One of the most …
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Grandpa Was an Astronaut
Author: Jonathan Meres Illustrator: Hannah Coulson
Interest level: 4+
Reading age: 7+
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Grandpa Was an Astronaut
Author: Jonathan Meres Illustrator: Hannah Coulson
Interest level: 4+
Reading age: 7+
Sherman is fascinated by the moon - all the more so because he knows someone who has actually been there, his Grandpa!
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15 Things NOT to Do With A Granny
Author: Margaret McAllister Illustrator: Holly Sterling
Interest level: 2-5
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15 Things NOT to Do With A Granny
Author: Margaret McAllister Illustrator: Holly Sterling
Interest level: 2-5
Reading age:
Your granny loves you very much, so how can you make her happy? Are there any easy rules to follow? An endearing exploration of a …
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Last Stop on Market Street
Author: Matt de la Pena Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Interest level: 4-6
Reading age: 5+
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Last Stop on Market Street
Author: Matt de la Pena Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Interest level: 4-6
Reading age: 5+
A New York Times Bestseller, this wonderful picture book about the riches that money can’t buy is a timely and timeless remi…
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Lollipop and Grandpa and the Wobbly Tooth
Author: Penelope Harper Illustrator: Cate Jones
Interest level: 3+
Reading age: 5+
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Lollipop and Grandpa and the Wobbly Tooth
Author: Penelope Harper Illustrator: Cate Jones
Interest level: 3+
Reading age: 5+
Lollipop is proud of her teeth and enjoys brushing one. One day she finds a wibbly wobbly one and doesn't know what to do, but as …
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Joy
Author: Corrinne Averiss Illustrator: Isabelle Follath
Interest level: 4-7
Reading age: 5+
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Joy
Author: Corrinne Averiss Illustrator: Isabelle Follath
Interest level: 4-7
Reading age: 5+
This uplifting tale, which explores the nature of happiness and celebrates the touching relationship between grandparent and child…
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Ladder to the Moon
Author: Maya Soetoro-Ng Illustrator: Yuri Morales
Interest level: 3+
Reading age: 6+
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Ladder to the Moon
Author: Maya Soetoro-Ng Illustrator: Yuri Morales
Interest level: 3+
Reading age: 6+
In this picture book by US President Barack Obama's half sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng explores the themes of humanity, love, acceptance…
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Grandad’s Secret Giant
Author: David Litchfield
Interest level: 4-5
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Grandad’s Secret Giant
Author: David Litchfield
Interest level: 4-5
Reading age:
Although the Secret Giant is rarely seen, grandad is convinced he exists. Maybe he's lonely, and just needs a friend? There's a my…
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White Owl Barn Owl
Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Michael Foreman
Interest level: 5+
Reading age: 7+
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White Owl Barn Owl
Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Michael Foreman
Interest level: 5+
Reading age: 7+
Davies cocoons the factual information within an inter-generational first-person narrative of a girl and her grandfather building …
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If All the World Were
Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Allison Colpoys
Interest level: 0-5
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If All the World Were
Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Allison Colpoys
Interest level: 0-5
Reading age:
This beautiful story tells the love that one little girl has for her ageing grandad. One day he isn’t there anymore, but the …
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Bad Nana: Older Not Wiser
Author: Sophy Henn
Interest level: 6-8
Reading age: 7+
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Bad Nana: Older Not Wiser
Author: Sophy Henn
Interest level: 6-8
Reading age: 7+
Bad Nana is quite unlike Jeanie’s other two grandmas. So when Jeanie and her class go on a school trip, it’s no surprise that…
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The Building Boy
Author: Ross Montgomery Illustrator: David Litchfield
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The Building Boy
Author: Ross Montgomery Illustrator: David Litchfield
Interest level:
Reading age:
The boy loves his grandmother dearly. Best of all, he loves the stories about her life as a prize-winning architect. One day, she …
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Izzy Gizmo
Author: Pip Jones Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie
Interest level: 5-7
Reading age: 5-7
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Izzy Gizmo
Author: Pip Jones Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie
Interest level: 5-7
Reading age: 5-7
Izzy Gizmo is a girl that loves inventing things: the Swirly Spagsonic, the Tea-Mendous and the Beardtastic, for instance. Bu…
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Grandad Mandela
Author: Zazi Ziwelene & Zindzi Mandela Illustrator: Sean Qualls
Interest level: 5-8
Reading age: 6+
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Grandad Mandela
Author: Zazi Ziwelene & Zindzi Mandela Illustrator: Sean Qualls
Interest level: 5-8
Reading age: 6+
This insightful and uplifting picture book recounts the life of Nelson Mandela through the eyes of his great-grandchildren, Zazi a…
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How to Babysit a Grandad
Author: Jean Reagan Illustrator: Lee Wildish
Interest level: 3+
Reading age: 5+
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How to Babysit a Grandad
Author: Jean Reagan Illustrator: Lee Wildish
Interest level: 3+
Reading age: 5+
A boy gives his account of looking after grandad when the parents go out - as, of course, grandad couldn't possibly be babysitting…
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