Review_CHILDREN’S66 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ SEPTEMEBER 9, 2019
Review_CHILDREN’S Review_CHILDREN’SA Visit to Grandad: An African ABC
Sade Fadipe, illus. by Shedrach Ayalomeh. Cassava Republic,
$16.95 (32p) ISBN 978-1-911115-81-6
Readers follow Adanah on an alphabetical journey to her
grandfather’s house in Modakeke, Nigeria, during a school
break. In Fadipe’s abecedarian account, the girl spends treasured
time doing ordinary activities that are illuminated by her
grandfather’s presence. Hidden in Ayalomeh’s realistic illus-
trations, which alternate between landscapes and cozy home
interiors, are objects that begin with the letter on that page.
(Alongside “B is for bags/ packed with things I’m going to
take,” readers will find a bear, binoculars, and books.) Though
the verse frequently fails to scan and Adanah seems old for a
traditional ABC format, the elaborate spreads show a range of
affectionate moments spent in community, and readers will
enjoy picking out new details upon each read. A list of the
hidden objects on each page concludes an enjoyable account of
a day well-spent with a grandparent. Ages 3 and up. (July)I Love My Glam-Ma!
Samantha Berger, illus. by Sujean Rim. Orchard, $17.99 (40p)
ISBN 978-1-338-15183-1
“Everyone knows grandmothers go by many names,” begins
Berger. “But MAYBE they should really be called ‘Glam-MA.’
Because Grandmas are some of the most glamorous people
you’re ever gonna meet.” What follows is a most joyful cele-
bration of bubbes, nanas, grams, omas, and abuelas that
reveres the extra flair they bring to just about everything:
“Glam-MAS don’t just come over... they make a grand
entrance”; “Glam-MAS don’t follow recipes. They follow their
instincts... and let you follow yours.” Rim’s drawings echo
the simple lines of fashion illustration, incorporating colors,
patterns, and textures that add depth and energy to each page.
Together, the artwork and narrative fold in a range of grand-
mothers, most in Western dress (one rolls in a wheelchair,
pushed by a skateboarding child; another attends a rock-and-
roll show) and offer the special kind of excitement brought on
by a visit from a beloved grandparent. A jubilant and loving
ode to grandmothers of every stripe. Ages 3–5. (Sept.)★ I Miss My Grandpa
Jin Xiaojing. Little, Brown, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-316-41787-7
A child wonders about her grandfather, who died before she
was born. She asks her grandmother to describe him, and the
poetic characterizations that ensue draw lucid parallels between
the girl’s grandfather and familiar family members: “Your
middle uncle, Chang-zi, has your grandpa’s eyes,” the grand-
mother says. And corresponding family members reminisce in
turn: “Uncle Chang-zi says,/ ‘When your grandpa looked at
the world,/ he was quiet and patient like a crocodile./ Whenhe closed his eyes, his imagination sparked.’ ” In several power-
fully intimate moments, the family engages in the special act
of collective remembering, recalling how the man interacted
with the world. Xiaojing’s mixed-media illustrations begin
with loose, lively lines depicting the girl and her grandmother,
then delve into the abstract—a moon in the sky, an arrangement
of stars—as if launching readers into the protagonist’s imagi-
nation. A tender and poignant resource for any child reckoning
with the absence of a grandparent. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)My Singing Nana
Pat Mora, illus. by Alyssa Bermudez. Magination, $16.99 (32p)
ISBN 978-1-433830-21-1
Billy adores his Nana, who wears a belted vest in Bermudez’s
colorful art. He loves baking cherry empanadas alongside her,
listening to her sing, and putting on shows together for their
family and friends. As they prepare for their “best show ever,”
Billy is worried when his Nana asks him to remind her of
their plans. Later, he brings his concern to his mother, who
reassures him that though Nana sometimes forgets things,
they can still do all of their favorite activities together. When
his sister wakes up with a cough the morning of the program,
Billy is momentarily discouraged before he gets an idea: “I
know who the best singer is,” writes Mora. He summons his
Nana, and together they sing, helping one another recall their
favorite songs in both Spanish and English. Back matter offers
an empanada recipe and insights into discussing Alzheimer’s
with children. A winning story that also serves as a useful
family resource. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)★ My Grandma and Me
Mina Javaherbin, illus. by Lindsey Yankey. Candlewick, $16.99
(32p) ISBN 978-0-7636-9494-4
“When I was growing up in Iran, my grandma lived with
us. I followed her everywhere. When she swept, I swept.
When she cooked, I cooked. When she prayed, I prayed like
her, too.” Thus begins Javaherbin’s narrative tribute to her
Iranian grandmother, which affec-
tionately sweeps the reader into the
heart of their daily relationship.
Readers follow along as the two say
namaz at dawn, buy bread to share
with their neighbors, sew chadors,
and share a meal during Ramadan. In
blues, roses, and golds, Yankey’s
exquisite mixed-media illustrations
relay details: Persian designs, dreams of space travel, baskets
of bread hoisted from the street. Together, the narrative and
images result in a deeply personal story that offers a broader
portrait of a tender familial experience. Ages 4–8. (Aug.)Grandparents Are Grand!
Five picture books pay tribute to the role of grandparents.