Five tips for sharing your love of reading with your grandchildren and five books to get you started

Name: William Joseph
Price range: $

Guidance and tips
1 to 5 years

Author of the stunning When I Became Your Grandad and When I Became Your Granny, Susannah Shane shares five tips for getting your grandchildren into reading as well as her top five books for getting them started on their reading journey.

Susannah Shane

Top tips

1. Read whenever you can

Reading aloud to children is the best way to foster a love of books that will last a lifetime. Fit reading around your busy days by bringing a book along wherever you go.

Let them choose

It’s wonderful to share classics from your childhood with a new generation, but don’t forget to let grandchildren share their favourites with you! You might just discover a new classic.

3. Get some help from technology

Reading together can still be a joy even if we’re far apart. Sharing a story over FaceTime can be just as special, and a brilliant way to bond with grandchildren who live far away.

4. Go back to old favourites

Little ones will love to hear their favourite stories over and over (and over) again. This will help build their reading confidence and improve their vocabulary. Keep it interesting by finding new things to spot in the illustrations.

5. Make the most of your library

A trip to your local library is a great way to spend the day with a grandchild. Make the most of it by joining in with story times, asking the librarian for recommendations and borrowing lots of different books.

Top 5 books to share with your grandchild

1. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

Some stories stand the test of time. This timeless book is the perfect way to share something you remember from your childhood with your grandchildren.

The Velveteen Rabbit: Or How Toys Become Real

by Margery Williams, illustrated by Sarah Massini

2016 4 to 9 years
- Classics
- Picture books
Since 1922, The Velveteen Rabbit has grabbed the hearts of families everywhere. It’s the story of a toy rabbit who becomes ‘Real’ through a little boy’s love – and a lovely reminder for children to keep believing in magic and imagination and hope.

2. When I Was a Pirate by Tom Silson, illustrated by Ewa Poklewska-Koziello

A grandpa tells his grandchildren tales of his wild adventures on the high seas in this swashbuckling story about the surprising lives of those you love.

3. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson

This moving story about a grandmother and grandson will help you see the beauty – and the fun – in everything.

Last Stop on Market Street

by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson

2017 4 to 9 years
- Picture books
A New York Times Bestseller, this wonderful picture book about the riches that money can’t buy is a timely and timeless reminder for all of us, not just children, that caring, thoughtfulness and community are more important than material wealth.

4. Granny Came Here on the Empire Windrush by Patrice Lawrence, illustrated by Camilla Sucre

Share a piece of history with your grandchildren with this heart-warming intergenerational story about the Windrush experience.

Granny Came Here on the Empire Windrush

by Patrice Lawrence, illustrated by Camilla Sucre

2022 6 to 9 years
- Adventure
- Around the world
- Historical
- Picture books
Ava must dress up as someone she admires for a school project, but can’t decide who to be, so Granny offers to help. As they search for inspiration in Granny’s trunk of clothes, Ava is intrigued when she finds a small, cardboard suitcase, containing four objects: an empty jar, a pebble, a small blue hat and a pair of delicate lace gloves. Granny shares the precious memories evoked by these simple objects with Ava, recounting how she left Trinidad aboard the boat Empire Windrush to begin a new life in England.

5. How to Babysit a Grandad by Jean Reagan, illustrated by Lee Wildish

This silly story is the perfect thing to prepare children for a visit from Grandad. Full of humour, warmth and fun.