We love books that celebrate intergenerational bonding. Whether it’s about grandparents, an elderly relative, or even an old neighbor, we can learn a lot from their knowledge and wisdom.
From traditional meals and stories to gardening, the books below offer great values children can learn from.
ECO GIRL
ECO GIRL by Ken-Wilson-Max is such a. wonderful story that celebrates growth and tradition.
Eve lived with her family in the forest surrounded by trees and loved the animals and birds that lived in the trees.
While visiting her grandmother, Eve received a special gift from her grandmother for her birthday.
It was a baobab seed that Eve planted alongside a tree that her father, grandmother, and great-grandmother planted when they were her age.
Eve was super excited because she loved trees and couldn’t wait to love and care for her very own tree.
With bold and vibrant illustrations, this book is truly remarkable and encourages us all to start of own tree-planting tradition. AGE 2-6, PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press.
HAT CAT
HAT CAT by Troy Wilson is so adorable. Every day an old man sat on his deck feeding nuts from his hat to the squirrels.
One day he discovered a cat hiding under his hat and named it Hat.
The old man fed and petted it every day and kept it safe. He grew attached to the cat and as much as the cat wanted to be let out, the old man never allowed it to leave the house for fear of it running away.
One day the old man is not at home but his family visits, finally giving the cat a chance to go outside.
Hat misses the old man and though he’s happy to be outside, he never runs away.
The old man returns and is happy to see his friend Hat.
With bold and colorful illustrations by Eve Coy, this book is absolutely marvelous and is perfect for cat lovers everywhere.
Mending the Moon
MENDING THE MOON by Emma Pearl is such a remarkable story.
On a full moon night, the forest animals heard a crack, then the moon fell from the sky.
A little girl named Luna saw the crack and woke her grandpa, so they can go help fix it.
From elks to deer, silkworms and leaping frogs, they all joined as they gathered pieces of the moon to mend it.
When they finished, the birds flew the moon back to the sky, so it was back to its rightful spot.
We love books that encourage helping and support, and also foster intergenerational bonding. When things fall apart, some of us panic, but mending broken situations with the support of friends and family can make a big difference.
The bold and majestic illustrations by Sara Ugolotti bring this story to life and was an instant favorite.
I'LL GO AND COME BACK
I’LL GO AND COME BACK by Rajani LaRocca celebrates family and love.
On a family visit to India, a cute girl named Jyoti soon feels lonely when her cousins head off to school.
Noticing the loneliness she feels in a different country, her grandmother quickly cheered her up by painting, dancing, and playing games.
Sadden by her departure back to America, her Sita Pati reassures her it’s never goodbye but, “go and come back”.
When it’s Sita Pati’s turn to visit America, Jyoti does the same to cheer her up because of the bond they created in India.
We love books that encourage intergenerational bonding, and this book encourages children to explore different cultures by learning Tamil words and making them more comfortable in different countries.
Illustrations by Sarah Palacios are extremely remarkable and vivid and warm the heart of all who read this book.
SANCTUARY
SANCTUARY by Christine McDonnell is an amazing book that celebrates the life and legacy of Kip Tiernan.
Harnessing inspiration from the generosity of her grandmother, Kip grew into a philanthropist who helped pave the way for young women around the world.
Noticing the amount of homelessness among women, she created change by speaking up against the way they are treated in society.
Her resilience and perseverance allowed her to open the first shelter in the country just for women.
In the sanctuary called Rosie’s Place, women received a safe space where they weren’t criticized or ridiculed but received free meals, clothes, and even a listening ear.
We are blown away by the vivid and bold illustrations of Victoria Tentler-Krylov.
It captures the essence and message in this book and will definitely inspire and motivate others to create change where it’s needed.
WHAT IS LOVE
WHAT IS LOVE by Mac Barnett is absolutely remarkable.
When a boy asks his grandmother about love, she encourages him to explore the world to find out.
Along his journey, he meets a fisherman, a cat, and many others who tell him what they know is love.
As he grows older and is still bewildered by what he’s learned about love, he returns home to his grandma. At that moment, he realizes that love was at home the whole time.
Everyone’s idea of love may differ, but the feeling in your heart is always the same.
With wondrously beautiful watercolors from Carson Ellis, this magnificent book is an instant favorite. It’s heartfelt and also encourages intergenerational bonding. An absolute must-have.
TIME FOR BED, OLD HOUSE
TIME FOR BED, OLD HOUSE by Janet Costa Bates is a sweet bedtime story that little readers will love.
Isaac didn’t love the thought of sleeping away from home when he visited his grandpop, but when grandpa puts the house to sleep first, Isaac becomes more comfortable with the idea.
As they tiptoed through the house, closing shades and turning off switches, they gradually ease into bedtime with stories. Soon enough, Isaac was putting his grandpa and the house to sleep instead, then finally himself.
We absolutely love this book. It’s full of metaphors that allow children to drift off to sleep, and it’s a great way to comfort visiting little ones.
It portrays the bonds between a grandfather and his son and fosters intergenerational bonding.
With wonderful, vivid illustrations by A. G Ford, this book is truly a gem and perfect for bedtime at the grandparent’s house. Total must-have.
WHERE THREE OCEANS MEET
WHERE THREE OCEANS MEET by Rajani Larooca is a remarkable story of culture and tradition.
An Indian mother, daughter, and grandmother plan a trip to the end of India where three oceans meet.
As they set off on their journey, from car to train to boat, through Bangalore to Kanyakumari, we experience the rich culture of India.
Readers are immersed in delicious food, friendly neighbors, winding rivers, shopping for saris and jewels, and all the wonders India offers.
We love books that encourage intergenerational bonding. Each experience is unique and we can all relate.
The magnificent and majestic illustrations by Archana Sreenivasan capture the essence of this entire story, making this an instant family favorite.
ADA AND THE GALAXIES
ADA AND THE GALAXIES by Alan Lightman and Olga Pastuchiv features a girl named Ada who longed to see the stars.
She couldn’t see the stars in New York City, so she took a trip with her mom to visit her grandparents in Maine.
In Maine, she could see the stars, but after a day of adventure and waiting to see them, she was disappointed when fog rolled in and clouded the air.
To cheer her up, Ada’s grandpa, Poobah showed her different galaxies of stars. She learned that there are billions of years away and that our Sun is also a star. Before long, the fog rolled away and Ava could finally see the stars she long to see.
With wonderful rustic, intergalactic illustrations by Susanna Chapman, this book is perfect for little astronauts and scientists. Children can learn about the Milky Way and what makes up the galaxy.
TIME FOR BED, OLD HOUSE
TIME FOR BED, OLD HOUSE by Janet Costa Bates is a sweet bedtime story that little readers will love.
Isaac didn’t love the thought of sleeping away from home when he visited his grandpop, but when grandpa puts the house to sleep first, Isaac becomes more comfortable with the idea.
As they tiptoed through the house, closing shades and turning off switches, they gradually ease into bedtime with stories. Soon enough, Isaac was putting his grandpa and the house to sleep instead, and finally himself.
It’s a great way to comfort visiting little ones, and full of metaphors that allow children to drift off to sleep. With wonderful, vivid illustrations by A. G Ford, this book is truly a gem and perfect for bedtime at the grandparent’s house. Total must-have.
NOAH'S SEAL
NOAH’S SEAL by Layn Marlow is a delightful, imaginative story featuring a boy named Noah and his love for seals.
While visiting the beach with Nana, he’d hope to see one but had no luck, so he created his own seal out of the sand.
Soon there was a storm, and the waves washed his seal away. Though his sandy seal was ruined, the storm also brought real seals ashore and Noah could see them.
NOAH’S SEAL celebrates creativity and fosters imagination. It amazed Noah to see his seal come to life.
With vivid, beach-life illustrations, this book teaches patience, hope and encourages children to believe in themselves.
GRANDAD'S CAMPER
GRANDAD’S CAMPER by Harry Woodgate is a sweet story told by a grandfather to his grandchild.
Grandad’s cottage is always fun, and his garden has yummy fruits and veggies, but his stories are the best.
He told stories of adventures with his deceased husband Gramps in their camper. They traveled the world together, visiting beaches and the city.
Inspired by his stories, they repaired the old camper and set out on an adventure of their own.
We always love stories that inspire intergenerational bonding. With bold and vibrant illustrations, GRANDAD’S CAMPER is a story of love and loss.
It encourages those who have lost a loved one to recreate memories while keeping their memories alive.
MY RED HAT
Do you have a family heirloom that’s handed down to you?
MY RED HAT by Rachel Stubbs features a grandfather who bestows his red hat to his grandchild.
It isn’t just any red hat, it’s a red hat that has been with him through rain and shine. It’s very useful, and he hopes it will provide the same confidence, protection, and many memories as it did for him.
MY RED HAT is heartfelt and celebrates intergenerational bonding.
The reddish hues convey a tone of love and appreciation that grandparents will just adore. Publisher: Candlewick Press. Age: 4-8
WE WAIT FOR THE SUN
WE WAIT FOR THE SUN by Dovey Johnson Roundtree & Katie McCabe is the wonderful story of young Dovey Johnson and her grandmother.
Before the sun rises, they head out through the darkness to pick berries in the woods with the other ladies.
With hums and clanking pails and the taste of sweet berries, they pick and await the warm sunrise.
We love books that foster intergenerational bonding. Grandmothers have always been the backbone of the family and have inspired children who later became doctors, engineers, and even presidents.
Dovey Johnson was one of the first women commissioned by the army, a minister, an activist, and an attorney who fought against segregation.
Her greatest inspiration was her grandmother Rachel Bryant Graham.
The beautiful illustrations by Raissa Figueroa convey a sense of love, security and strength, and we love the contrasting elements on each page. A total must-have. Publisher: Roaring Brooke Press. Age: 4-8
OVER THE SHOP
OVER THE SHOP by JonArno Lawson is a heartwarming wordless picture book about love, companionship, and community.
It features a little girl and her grandmother who owns a shop below an old, dilapidated apartment. The apartment is for rent, but all the potential renters look at the damages then walk away.
All except a lovely couple who envisioned how great the apartment would be once it’s renovated. Together they broke it down and started rebuilding.
Their hard work encouraged others to help, and soon enough they renovated the apartment. They became friends with the little girl and her grandmother, and even spruced the shop below.
I cannot fully express how beautiful this book is without someone having it in front of them. It takes the reader through many emotional stages. From sad and discouraged to hopeful and happy. It also fosters intergenerational bonding, the birth of new friendships, and fosters community strength and support.
We don’t always see the beauty in things that are damaged or broken, but the stages of rebuilding can create an unbreakable bonding experience.
This book and the message come to life because of the magnificent and intricate illustrations by Qin Leng. Publisher: Candlewick Press. Age: 4-8
GRANDMA'S GIRL
I love books about grandparents, and GRANDMA’S GIRL by Susanna Leonard Hill is absolutely amazing. It features grandmothers celebrating their similarities with their granddaughters and all the things they wish for them.
From their friendships to their fears, this book is nostalgic, and grandmas will love that it’s reminiscent of their childhood.
Grandma’s are the absolute best and are huge role models to their daughters and granddaughters. The illustrations by Laura Bobbiesi are vibrant and extremely heartwarming. Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland. Age: 4-8
I DREAM OF POPO
We love books about intergenerational bonding and I DREAM OF POPO by Livia Blackburne is one of this year’s most endearing books so far.
It features a young girl spending her early years in Taiwan bonding with her grandma before moving to America.
She learns a new language and makes new friends, but she remembers her Popo’s hugs and her yummy dumplings and can’t wait to return to visit her. She no longer remembers the language she spoke with her Popo, but through food and love, the bond between them remains the same.
This book is absolutely remarkable, and it’s perfect for children moving to a new country. It portrays the strength of a family no matter the distance and the heartwarming love between a girl and her grandma.
The illustrations by Julia Kuo are bright and vibrant, making this book great for every classroom. Publisher: Roaring Brook Press. Age: 2-6
NANA AKUA GOES TO SCHOOL
NANA AKUA GOES TO SCHOOL by Tricia Elam Walker is a celebration of culture and diversity.
Zura loves circle time at school, but became worried when her teacher announces that Monday is Grandparents Day.
The other children were so excited. Alejo’s Abuelo was a great fisherman and Bisou’s Mimi was a great dentist. However, Zura’s Nana was not like most grandparents.
Zura adores her Nana. She grew up in a part of West Africa, where they carved statues out of wood and the trees dripped with mangoes.
Nana Akua looked different. When she was younger, her parents followed an old African tradition that puts marks on her face to indicate her family’s tribe. It was a permanent mark that represented beauty and confidence.
Zura worries about what the other children might think, but her Nana reassured her that bringing her handmade quilt could help explain what the marks on her face means.
On grandparents’ day, Nana Akua amazed the entire class as she explained her marking and what the symbols on the quilt meant. She even painted symbols on the children’s faces.
We love this book. It is full of Ghanaian culture and makes children proud to represent where they come from.
We are all different and sometimes scars or markings tell a story of our history. Children will love the vivid and bright illustrations by April Harrison it captures the essence of the book and brings as it to life. Publisher: Schwartz & Wade. Age: 4-8
DIGGING FOR WORDS
DIGGING FOR WORDS by Angela Burke Kunkel celebrates the life of José Alberto Gutiérrez by introducing us to another boy named José who lived in the same neighborhood and how their lives intertwined.
They lived in the city of Bogotá, Colombia, and though they lived separate lives, they had one thing in common, they both loved books.
Señor José drove a garbage truck and on his route, he collected and read used books the neighbors discarded.
Through the years he collected lots of books and invited the children in his neighborhood to read. Little José was one of those children and while there he delved into the books and escaped to wonderful places.
Paola Escobar’s vivid and vibrant illustrations eloquently capture the essence of the message in this book.
José Alberto Gutiérrez built a library, and his love for sharing books inspired many around the world. We celebrate him today and his magnificent contribution to the Hispanic culture. Publisher: Schwartz & Wade. Age: 4-8
NANA SAYS I WILL BE FAMOUS ONE DAY
She is with him through football matches and spring concerts and even at the school art show. She is his number one fan, and he is hers.
After taking a tumble, he visits her every day to help her with chores and making her peppermint tea.
This book is absolutely delightful, with wonderful, vibrant illustrations by Andrew Joyner. It’s hilarious and grandparents everywhere can relate to the awesomeness of grandparents. Publisher: Candlewick Press. Age: 4-8
DUMPLING SOUP
DUMPLING SOUP by Jama Kim Rattigan is a Lunar New Year classic. It features a cute Hawaiian girl named Marisa who awaits her family for the celebration.
They’re not all Chinese, some are Korean, Japanese, Hawaiian and Haole (Hawaiian for white people.) All the aunties gathered to make dumplings on the night before New Year’s Eve. It’s full of gossip. She is super excited to learn to wrap dumplings for dumpling soup. Armed with filling, wrappers and a bowl of finger dripping water, she is ready to begin.
After she plays games with her cousins and take turns hugging grandma, they feast and ate the dumplings they made with all of their family. Her dumplings aren’t perfect, and she’s worried because they look like elephant ears, but her family loved it, and she promises to make even better dumplings next year.
This book is fantastic because Chinese New Year isn’t only celebrated by Chinese but by many cultures. The best part is the recipe for Dumpling Soup at the back of the book. The illustrations by Lilian Hsu-Flanders is amazing and makes you feel like you’re celebrating in Hawaii. Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Age: 4-9
GRANDMA'S GARDEN
Mother-daughter authors Hillary and Chelsea Clinton’s GRANDMA’S GARDENS is a wonderful book about gardens and the many values they hold through generations.
Grandma Dorothy loved everything about her gardens. The flowers, trees and even the animals and that love flowed through her to her daughter and her granddaughter.
Gardens aren’t just for planting flowers or fruits and vegetables, they are also a place to learn new things and to celebrate events that bring people together.
It represents growth and children will love the beautiful, bright and vibrant orange-greenish illustrations by Carme Lemniscates. Publisher: Philomel Books. Age: 4-8
MADAMA BADOBEDAH
MADAME BADOBEDAH by Sophie Dahl is a delightful book about an unlikely friendship between a mysterious, uppity hotel guest and the hotel manager’s inquisitive daughter Mabel.
The strange guest whom Mabel named Madame Badobedah was mean and came with a lot of bags. This made Mabel curious about her. Is she an ancient supervillain, running from the police? It was time to spy, Mabel thought.
What happens when this mysterious recluse invites Mabel for tea? Maybe Madame Badobedah just needs companionship or a friend.
This book is SO creative and full of imagination. Children bring out the best in people, and after their encounter, Madame Badobedah was never the same.
She was no longer lonely, and her days were full of pirate adventures and crawling through secret pathways that lead to the ocean.
The illustrations by Lauren O’Hara have a rustic yet mysterious feel that keeps readers engaged and curious to know more. Sometimes we think we know someone’s life, but often we have no clue and getting to know someone can be amazing. Perfect for elementary/middle grade. Publisher: Candlewick Press. Age: 4-8
KHALIL AND MR. HAGERTY AND THE BACKYARD TREASURES
Khalil lives in a two-family home with his neighbor Mr. Hagerty.
Though different in age, they both loved similar things such as their backyard garden. They sat and kept each other’s company, helping each other remember things they forget.
They both dug for treasures in the backyard, but found nothing of value until their great minds came up with a plan that benefitted them both and created an even stronger bond.
We LOVE books of friendships between people of different generations. Children inspire and bring out the best in people, and elderly people are blessed with knowledge and wisdom that children can learn.
It encourages respect and thoughtfulness and the value of friendship. The vibrant illustrations by Elahah Taherian are so delightful. Publisher: Candlewick Press. Age: 4-8
SWASHBY AND THE SEA
SWASHBY AND THE SEA by Beth Ferry is such a sweet story of an unlikely friendship and companionship.
Retired Captain Swashby loved the sea, and they have always been friends. He lived close to it, and the sea provided him with everything he needed. He loved its peaceful tranquility until one day an adventurous girl and her granny moved into the house next door.
Swashby was not happy about that. He loved the quietness and didn’t want neighbors, so he left messages on the sand saying to stay away. The sea, however, kept washing away some of his words and the messages ended up being positive and encouraging to the girl.
Instead of NO TRESPASSING, the words read, SING, so the girl sang her heart out on Swashby’s deck. He was not happy.
The sea kept interfering with all his messages and even had more tricks by having Swashby save the girl from being swept away by the sea. This created a special bond that he was thankful for. Swashby now had friends, companionship, and best of all family.
The beige-tan, sand-ish illustrations by Juana Martinez-Neal gives a serene oceanic feel that makes it another perfect book for summer that sends a message of love and powerful intergenerational bond. AGE 4-8, PUBLISHER: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
A magnificent book that can help with children’s understanding of who they are and where they’re from is WHERE ARE YOU FROM by Yamile Saied Mendez.
He takes her on a heartfelt ancestral journey of life back on the island and tells the story of the gaucho, rivers and mountains and reminisces about the warm beaches and even the hurricanes on the island.
NANA'S GARDEN
The weekends are for grandparents and NANA’S GARDEN by Larissa Juliano features a girl’s visit to her nana garden. They pick red, ripe tomatoes and green basil, and she’s enchanted by pink and orange butterflies.
The rainbow hues by Francesca De Luca make the flowers in her garden look like sprinkles on a vanilla cupcake, and she loves watering the vegetables with grandpa.
In NANA’S GARDEN, children get to explore colors and meet the animals that help the garden flourish.
This book makes a perfect art project for younger children. AGE 2-4, PUBLISHER: Clever Publishing.
THE KEEPER OF WILD WORDS
THE KEEPER OF WILD WORDS by Brooke Smith features a girl named Brooke who visits her grandmother Mimi. Mimi is a writer and enlists Brooke as an apprentice to help her remember words she’d forgotten.
Elated by the idea, Brooke thought it’s the perfect opportunity since she had no clue what to share for show-and-tell at school when the summer ended. Mimi wrote a list of words and gave it to Brooke, so she can find them during the day. Brooke became the keeper of wild words.
During their adventure, she looked for words on the list such as dandelion, willow, and acorn, and they awoke her senses. She could smell the sweet scents of violets and poppies and hear the gentle sounds of wrens. At the pond, she touched silver minnows as they swam circles in her palm and tasted fresh tangy mint from the ground.
The Oxford Junior Dictionary removed over 100 natural words from its pages. They no longer felt those words had relevance for today’s children, but these words are very much needed.
We need books like this that encourage little readers to know and understand how important these words are and become keepers of wild words themselves.
Being outdoors is very important for children. Brooke could not find the words on the list if they didn’t venture outside, and since exploring outdoors is relevant, why wouldn’t those words be too? The colorful illustrations by Madeline Kloepper are absolutely magnificent. AGE 4-8, PUBLISHER: Chronicle Books.
THANK YOU OMU!
Sunday’s are special to most people because it means visiting grandma for some good home cooking.
In Oge Mora’s THANK YOU OMU, Omu is at home preparing her delicious stew and the scent escapes through the window and into the whole neighborhood.
It attracts a little boy who knocks on her door wanting a taste. Omu has more than enough to share, so she gives him a bowl and soon enough everyone in the neighborhood is knocking on her door for a taste; a police officer, cab driver and even the Mayor.
Omu is now dismayed because she has nothing left to eat. That is until she hears another knock at her door.
This time it’s everyone in the neighborhood, and they each brought food.
Among other things, THANK YOU OMU portrays the importance of giving with your heart. One simple act of sharing brought an entire community together to share in the joy of a meal.
To us, that’s what Thanksgiving is about. Inspired by Oge Mora’s own grandmother, children, as well as parents, will love the bright and vibrant illustrations and the great message this book has to offer. Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers(AGE 4-8)
ISLANDBORN
We love this book called ISLANDBORN by Junot Díaz. Not only because it’s such a beautiful story but the illustrations by Leo Espinosa are the best…ever!
It’s full of color and definitely reminds you of the Islands.
In the book, Lola has to draw a picture that reminds her of the island she came from, but unlike the other children, she can’t seem to remember, so she sets out on a mission to find out everything about the island from her family and by asking people in her neighborhood.
You’ll be amazed at all the things Lola learned. From the music to the food to some beautiful moments in history and also some terrifying ones.
The book is completely relatable and absolutely relevant. It’s important to teach children about their ancestors and where they came from.
Knowing your culture and heritage is beautiful.
Younger children will love the beautiful, vibrant pictures and older children will love reading it too. A must-have for every home. Publisher: Dial Books. Age:5-10
JUST LIKE A MAMA
JUST LIKE A MAMA by Alice Faye Duncan features a loving mother/daughter relationship between Mama Rose and an adorable girl named Carol. Carol lives with Mama Rose, but she isn’t her biological mother.
Mama Rose loves Carol and takes wonderful care of her. They play and laugh, and Mama Rose teaches her discipline and makes sure she eats her veggies. She also encourages her to be her best with positive affirmations.
Carol often thinks about her parents, but she’s reassured that she in excellent hands with Mama Rose.
Mama Rose gives her a happy home filled with love and support. JUST LIKE A MAMA celebrates love, motherhood, and family. I salute anyone who assumes the role of parent to a child or children. Whether you’re an aunt or uncle, sister or brother.
This book pays homage to the “Mama Roses” out there who genuinely dedicate their lives to enriching the children they care for.
With warm yellows, flamboyant fuchsias and luscious green illustrations by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow, JUST LIKE A MAMA is an ode to adopted mothers everywhere and is perfect for Mother’s Day. Publisher: Denene Millner Books. Age:5-10
FRY BREAD
October is National Native American Heritage Month. It’s a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions and histories of Native people and to acknowledge the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S.
LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET
LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET by Matt De La Peña is one of our favorite books.
After church, little CJ and his Nana hopped on the No.5 bus to begin their routine visit to a soup kitchen on Market Street.
On the way there, curious CJ asks questions to which his Nana always gave very enlightening answers. He wonders why they don’t have a car or why a blind man can’t see, and also why they have to get off on the dirty parts of town.
CJ’s Nana wanted him to experience the surroundings that so many of us ignore. She wanted him to see the beauty and value of his surroundings. Not just listening to the music, but feeling it and allowing it to be a part of him.
Not just seeing the dirt around him but knowing that sometimes when you’re surrounded by dirt you’re a better witness for what’s beautiful. The illustrations by Christian Robinson are vivid and vibrant, and children will just love all the artwork. Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers. Age:5-10
