Grandpa’s Girls was published in 2011 (Groundwood Books) and was written by Nicola I. Campbell. The illustrations were done by Kim LaFave.
A child goes to her grandpa’s house. She meets her cousins there and they explore the farm. By the end, the kids go to the grandpa’s secret room and find his war things (photos, watch, chain, ring, etc).
I read this story a couple of times trying to figure it all out. A girl goes to her grandpa’s house and realizes that her grandpa is a special old man. I guess it’s all a nice story.
The illustrator starts this story high from a helicopter’s point of view. I don’t think I’ve read many picture books that start this way. Sometimes some of the children have little lines below their eyes... I hate to say this but it makes these kids look old.
The writing uses a lot of adjectives... this made my reading speed a bit slow when reading aloud. Also, the writer is from a Canadian Aboriginal background so she includes a few words spelt and in her own language. For a reader that has no idea how to pronounce these words, it can put them in an awkward position, especially if that person is reading the book to someone. There is a glossary at the beginning under the dedication but I have no idea how to pronounce these words.
Grandpa’s Girls is about appreciating the elders in your family and that children will be children. Children who live in big cities might appreciate the “countryside” aspect of this book.
